Effect of Imidacloprid Tree Treatments on the Occurrence of Formosan Subterranean Termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), in Independent Monitors

Abstract

Periodic sampling of 87 independent monitors, initially active with the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes fornwsanus Shiraki, was conducted. Monitors, located in eight sectors adjacent to seven buildings, were various distances (1-46 m) from 57 trees treated with 0.1% imidacloprid foam. Termites collected from six of the eight sectors showed latent mortality attributed to imidacloprid intoxication at all monitor-tree distances. Approximately 6 mo after treatment, termite populations had recovered in these sectors. Another sector showed termite population suppression for ≈15 mo, followed by recovery. Imidacloprid tree treatments did not control C. formosanus populations in independent monitors adjacent to the treatments.