Journal article
Erythritol Ingestion Causes Concentration-Dependent Mortality in Eastern Subterranean Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)
Journal of economic entomology, v 113(1), pp 348-352
07 Oct 2019
PMID: 31588517
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Damage from termite infestations is economically significant and control can be costly when requiring the widespread use of conventional insecticides. Erythritol, a polyalcohol sweetener that is safe for human consumption, causes increased mortality when ingested by some insects, indicating potential as a safe alternative insecticide. Here, we investigated the applicability of erythritol as a novel toxicant method of termite control. Eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), were fed paper foods treated with increasing concentrations of erythritol and were assessed for mortality and bait consumption. Termite survival to 8 d (the duration of the experiment) significantly decreased as erythritol treatment concentration increased, indicating that the lethal effects of erythritol were concentration-dependent. Termites consumed erythritol-treated paper at all concentrations and did not display avoidance in choice assays, suggesting that erythritol may be practical for use as an ingestible bait. These results provide a basis for further development of erythritol as a safe alternative method of termite control.
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Details
- Title
- Erythritol Ingestion Causes Concentration-Dependent Mortality in Eastern Subterranean Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)
- Creators
- Virginia Caponera - Drexel UniversityMeghan Barrett - Department of Biology Drexel University Philadelphia PADaniel R Marenda - Drexel UniversitySean O'Donnell - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of economic entomology, v 113(1), pp 348-352
- Publisher
- Entomological Society of America
- Number of pages
- 5
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); Biology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000515119000039
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85079089166
- Other Identifier
- 991019167856704721
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InCites Highlights
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- Web of Science research areas
- Entomology