Toxic effects of 2-deoxy-D-galactose on Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and symbionts.
In the interest of developing interventions to infestations by Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), several rare sugars were tested for effects on the termites and symbionts. Among these, the D-galactose analog, 2-deoxy-D-galactose (2deoxyGal) showed promise as a potential control chemical. At a test concentration of 2deoxyGal (320.4 microg/mm3) in water applied to 5-cm filter paper, in bioassays with 20 termite workers, we found that worker termite mortality was significantly affected over a 2-wk period. Subsequent dose-mortality feeding studies confirmed these findings. In addition, consumption of the sugar-treated filter paper by termites caused a significant decrease in hindgut protozoan populations. 2deoxyGal caused dose-dependent termite mortality, taking on average 1 wk to begin killing workers, indicating that it may have promise as a delayed action toxin, which, if added to baits, could allow time after bait discovery for an entire colony to be affected.
Department of Biological Sciences, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Lucas
L
Veillon
Syed
S
Muniruzzaman
Gregg
G
Henderson
Roger A
RA
Laine
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005643:Fucose / Q000633:toxicity*; D006601:Hexoses / Q000633:toxicity; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D020049:Isoptera / Q000187:drug effects*; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011156:Population Density; D013624:Taiwan
D006601:Hexoses; D007306:Insecticides; D005643:Fucose; C030192:tagatose