Preliminary Field Efficacy of Transfer Effect of Slow Acting Termiticide (Imidacloprid) on Subterranean Termites Population (Coptotermes gestroi) (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Population estimation of Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), foraging activity and control by using a slow acting termiticide, Premise® 200SC containing 18.3% w/w imidacloprid was studied in Penanti, Seberang Perai Utara, Penang, Malaysia. Three underground monitoring stations (UMSs) were established in this site. The triple mark recapture (TMR) technique estimated the population C. gestroi was 2 142 215 ± 86 949. The foraging territories and maximum foraging distance were 14.45 m2 and 10 m, respectively. Mean wood consumption rate per two weeks ranged from 54.4-130.1 grams/station before treatment. The treatment was done by creating a continuous imidaclogrid barrier in the soil surrounding one of the three IWIS by injecting five liters of Premise 200SC solution with dilution ratio of 1:400 (Premise® 200SC:water) per hole into the soil spaced 33.3 cm apart. The activities of the termites stopped eight weeks after the treatment. In all three UMSs, this showed that the transfer effect of this termiticide had taken place and probably had eliminated the whole colony.