Etofenprox is an insecticide with exceptionally low mammalian toxicity. When applied topically to workers of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, the LD50 of etofenprox of 4.78 to 6.59 was in the same range as termiticides currently in use. Etofenprox was a relatively quick acting termiticide, with most mortality occurring within 24 hours. In both vertical and horizontal laboratory tunneling assays, etofenprox concentrations as low as 10 ppm reduced termite penetration of crushed coral and silica sand, and consistent protection was achieved with concentrations of 100 ppm or greater. Termites avoided contact with the treated substrate and mortality was generally low, indicating that most termites did not contact the substrate often or long enough to acquire a lethal dose. These results, and the low mammalian toxicity of etofenprox, indicate that it may be useful both as a contact insecticide for injection into active termite infestations within structures, and as a soil insecticide to prevent termites from entering structures. Although more research is required to establish the longevity of etofenprox in the soil under field conditions, our laboratory results indicate that 100 ppm in the soil is a reasonable minimum target concentration for field application.

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