Effect of Naphthalene, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Dioctyl Phthalate, and Adipic Dioctyl Ester, Chemicals Found in the Nests of the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) on a Saprophytic Mucor sp. (Zygomycetes: Mucorales)

Authors

Beverly A. Wiltz, LSU Agricultural Center
Gregg Henderson, LSU Agricultural Center
Jian Chen, LSU Agricultural Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1998

Abstract

Fungi are commonly found associated with termites and their nests. Four chemicals that have been isolated from the nests of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were evaluated to determine their effect on a common nest fungus, a saprophytic Mucor sp. Butylated hydroxytoluene, dioctyl phthalate, and adipic dioctyl ester were not found to affect the growth of this fungus. At high concentrations, naphthalene inhibited the growth of this Mucor sp. through its presence in the surrounding air. The possible use of naphthalene by termites to control fungi is discussed.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Environmental Entomology

First Page

936

Last Page

940

Recommended Citation

Wiltz, B., Henderson, G., & Chen, J. (1998). Effect of Naphthalene, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Dioctyl Phthalate, and Adipic Dioctyl Ester, Chemicals Found in the Nests of the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) on a Saprophytic Mucor sp. (Zygomycetes: Mucorales). Environmental Entomology, 27 (4), 936-940. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/27.4.936