Effect of Aspergillus flavus and Trichoderma, harzianum on survival of Coptotermes formosanus (isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-18-2007

Abstract

Application of large quantities of persistent insecticides to control termites poses an increasing environmental threat as human populations increase because of possible contamination of water resources. Chemical insecticides may also have an effect on non-target organisms. Biological control rather than persistent insecticides may provide an environmental friendly and long-lasting insect control. Our previous studies showed that on PDYA medium Aspergillus flavus Link and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai which are associated with Coptotermesformosanus Shiraki can control the brown rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.: Fr.) Murril, a destructive wood pathogen. Our goal was to determine if A. flavus and T. harzianum have a negative effect on the survival of C. formosanus. To test this, termites were surface sterilized and one of three different concentrations of fungal spore suspension was topically applied to the termites. The number of surviving termites was counted after 12 days of incubation. Results showed that A. flavus was toxic to termites, but T. harzianum was not. A. flavus has potential to be used as biocontrol agent to control brown rot fungus, G. trabeum and also to control C. formosanus; while T. harzianum appears to benefit termites by controlling a competitive wood consumer, G. trabeum.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Sociobiology

First Page

135

Last Page

141

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