Effect of a nutritional metabolism disrupter on the development of incipient colonies of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Incipient colonies of the Formosan subterranean termite were formed by pairing reproductives in plastic dishes containing either untreated bait or bait treated with a composition of oxypurinol and xanthine. This composition, termed a nutritional metabolism disrupter (NMD), causes a shutdown of nitrogen recycling in insects, resulting in death when uric acid reserves are depleted (Wren 1996). Colonies fed NMD-treated baits produced significantly fewer eggs than control colonies at 40, 60, 80, and 100 days after dealates were paired. While the number of larvae in control colonies doubled between 60 and 100 days, the size of NMD colonies remained unchanged. After 80 and 100 days, mortality of NMD colonies was significantly greater than that of control colonies. Although NMD colonies had consumed more food after 100 days, the biomass per colony was less than that of the controls. We conclude that NMD bait significantly affected Formosan subterranean termite colony development.