The use of an attractant may improve localized insecticide treatments targeting the western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor

The western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor (Hagen) (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae), is a wood-destroying pest that causes significant economic damage estimated to be up to $250 million annually in California and Arizona alone. It is native to the western United States and northern Mexico but has spread to other parts of North America, Hawaii, China, and Japan. Even though fumigation is the most comprehensive treatment option for drywood termites, the need for cost-effective remedial treatment options with little to no environmental hazard remains. Localized injection of insecticides into the infested wood is often employed as an alternative method, especially when the infestation level is not severe. However, drywood termite colonies live in extensive galleries inside the wood where they often aggregate in certain areas of the galleries. This characteristic can impact the effectiveness of localized insecticide treatment if the injected insecticide fails to directly contact the termites. Chemical adjuvants that are capable of luring individuals to the treated zone may improve the efficacy of localized treatment by increasing the number of individuals contacting the insecticide. Using a candidate attractant selected based on I. minor’s preference of certain wood types, we investigated the effect of the chemical on the termites’ aggregation behavior. Furthermore, using pesticide products that are currently available for localized treatment against I. minor, we tested if the co-presentation of the attractant in the treatment improves overall control efficacy. Implication for product development and future research direction will be discussed.