In this laboratory evaluation, Coptotermes acinaciformis actively attacked in the first week of testing Pinus radiata wood blocks (50 x 25 x 15 mm3) treated with concentrations of JB-TB003 (i.e. 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ppm); the blocks with highest concentration were the most attractive. Results were similar whether blocks were leached or unleached. The earliest mortality occurred in the 400 ppm treatments between the fifth and sixth week of testing. All levels of JB-TB003 treatments proved toxic to C. acinaciformis, within 8 weeks. Termite mortality over the test period in the water treated and solvent treated controls was 10 per cent. JB-TB003 stimulated active termite feeding and tended to override the termites' tendency to 'mud-up' their food source and surroundings. This suggests a strong 'attractancy - feeding-response' induced by JB-TB003. Since there was no significant difference between toxicity levels in the leached and unleached blocks it may be concluded that JB-TB003 was firmly bound to the wood substrate of the timber specimens. These laboratory results strongly indicate that JB-TB003 has a role as a potential termite bait toxicant, particularly against Coptotermes species. Field trials are currently in progress.

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