Tunneling behavior of Heterotermis indicola Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) under insecticide treated conditions

• Published in: Sarhad journal of agriculture Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 111 - 115
• Main Authors: Sohail, K. (The University of Agriculture, Peshawar (Pakistan). Dept. of Entomology), Khan, I.A. (The University of Agriculture, Peshawar (Pakistan). Dept. of Entomology), Ahmad-ur-Rahman, S. (The University of Agriculture, Peshawar (Pakistan). Dept. of Plant Protection), Manzoor, F. (Nuclear Inst. for Food and Agriculture, Peshawar (Pakistan). Entomology Div.), Ashfaq, S. (The University of Agriculture, Peshawar (Pakistan). Dept. of Entomology), Sadozai, A. (Mu'tah Univ., Karak (Jordan). Dept. of Plant Protection and Integraded Pest Management)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR; INSECTICIDES; MOVEMENT; PEST MITES; SOIL TREATMENT; TERMITIDAE
• ISSN: 1016-4383

Laboratory experiments were conducted at the Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan to study the tunneling behavior of Heterotermes indicola Wasmann (Isoptera: Heterotermitdae) in soil treated with five concentrations of Chlorpyrifos (400, 200, 100, 50, 25 ppm), Cadusafos (50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125 ppm) and Agenda (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 ppm). Heterotermes indicola traveled longest the cumulative tunnel distance of 6.96 cm at 25 ppm of Chlorpyrifos, 11.20 cm at 3.125 ppm of Cadusafos and 9.56 cm at 6.25 ppm of Agenda treated sand. At lower concentrations toxicity of al insecticides increased with time. Heterotermes indicola traveled longer tunnel distance and made more number of tunnels at lower concentrations of al the insecticides. In control Heterotermes indicola traveled the longest cumulative distances and made longer and more tunnels than al the treatments. Agenda was slow acting among the three insecticides. The study recommends the use of Chlorpyrifos and Cadusafos for quick knockdown and Agenda for long-term control of termite.