Evaluation of the effects of different concentrations of Fipronil against Reticulitermes grassei (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

A laboratory evaluation of the effect of different concentrations of Termidor (fipronil at 9.09%) has been carried out. Six concentrations (10,000; 1,000; 100; 50; 10 and 5 ppm) have been tested in two different colony models imitating an open environment.
After five days treatment, mortality data were collected. The three higher concentrations showed nearly 100% mortality. At 50 ppm the mortality rate was over 80%, but when using 10 or 5 ppm, 15 days were required to reach that mortality rate.
The mobility was checked during the experiment. There was a normal walking ability in 5 and 10 ppm concentrations even after 5 days. This data can be useful when using Termidor in bait systems allowing the termites to carry it to their colonies without showing any symptoms.