Effects of Insect Growth Regulators on Subterranean Termites: Induction of Differentiation, Defaunation, and Starvation

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Abstract
Exposing groups of Reticulitermesflavipes, R. virginicus, and Coptotermes formosanus to methoprene and hydroprene had concentration-dependent morphogenetic and lethal effects on the Reticulitermes species but no effect on Coptotermes. Methoprene was not directly toxic to R. flavipes. Instead, most lethal effects probably result from starvation induced by elimination of termites' symbiotic protozoa and from trophic demands placed on them by the many presoldiers present. A small proportion of the mortality resulted from ecdysis failures.

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