Nootkatone is a repellent for Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)

Authors
Zhu, BCR Henderson, G Chen, F Maistrello, L Laine, RA
Citation
Bcr. Zhu et al., Nootkatone is a repellent for Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus), J CHEM ECOL, 27(3), 2001, pp. 523-531
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
ISSN journal
00980331 → ACNP
Volume
27
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
523 - 531
Database
ISI
SICI code
0098-0331(200103)27:3<523:NIARFF>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
We examined the behavior of Formosan subterranean termites toward one of th e components of vetiver grass oil, the roots of which manufacture insect re pellents. We found nootkatone, a sesquiterpene ketone, isolated from vetive r oil is a strong repellent and toxicant to Formosan subterranean termites. The lowest effective concentration tested was 10 mug/g substrate. This is the first report of nootkatone being a repellent to insects.