The termiticidal effectiveness of the copper azole TANALITH 3485 was evaluated with the benchmark preservative TANALITH C in a laboratory bioassay using two species of subterranean termites, Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt and Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt). Retentions of TANALITH 3485 tested were 0.15, 0.24, 0.285 and 0.40% m/m Cu and for TANALITH C 0.025, 0.05, 0.08 and 0.095% m/m Cu. Under the conditions of the bioassay, TANALITH 3485 at the retentions of 0.24, 0.285 and 0.40% m/m Cu and TANALITH C at the retentions of 0.05, 0.08 and 0.095% m/m Cu (0.20, 0.32 and 0.38% m/m total active elements [TAE], respectively) were each successful in protecting Pinus radiata D. Don test specimens against significant attack by Mastotermes darwiniensis. The lowest retention of each formulation failed. When exposed to Coptotermes acinaciformis, all retentions of TANALITH 3485 tested were successful in protecting test specimens whereas TANALITH C at the lowest retention of 0.025% m/m Cu (0.10% m/m TAE) failed. Specimens treated with TANALITH 3485 exhibited little, if any, toxicity to Mastotermes darwiniensis. The formulation appeared to have imparted a repellent and/or antifeedant effect on Mastotermes darwiniensis. In contrast, TANALITH C displayed toxicity to Mastotermes darwiniensis thereby causing a decrease in survival of termites throughout the bioassay as the retention of preservative in test specimens increased.

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