Experience with Coptotermes formosanus in China (Isoptera: rhinotermitidae)

Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki is by far the most destructive termite species which occurs widely in South, Central and East China. The northern limit approximates to Huai River. In Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, it is responsible for severe damage to buildings. In addition to its attacks on timber in service such as window and door frames, wooden floors, ceilings and wallboards in buildings, it infests ornamental trees, bamboo, plastics, rubber, leather, cotton products, plastic-sheathed electric and telephone cables (including underground cables) and so on. In total the losses caused by C. formosanus annually are estimated to approach 0.8 billion RMB. Current control of C. formosanus in developed cities in southeast China rely on preconstruction soil treatment. After chlordane was severely restricted by our country in 2001, chlorpyrifos, phoxim, permethrin, cypermethrin and other synthetic pyrethroids as alternative insecticides for use in treated soil barriers were approved by the National Constructional Ministry of P.R. China in the beginning of 2001. Baiting is a simple, economical and effective method to destroy colonies of C. formosanus and has become more widely adopted by many firms in cities in recent years. Dusting with arsenic trioxide is one of the most common treatments for an active termite infestation and used by professionals (in particular in rural areas). Direct destruction of the colony of C. formosanus is sometimes done when the termite nest can be located.