Efficacy of Biomax and Fiprokill against Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann)

Termites cause profound economic losses worldwide. Heterotermes indicola causes tremendous damages to wood work in the buildings and forest trees. Different types of insecticides have been used to control this subterranean termite. In the present study, efficacy of Biomax (Chlorpyrifos) and Fiprokill (Fipronil) against Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann) was studied. Toxicities and repellencies of these chemicals were compared at same concentrations. Mortality during 8 hours exposure for Biomax at different concentrations 480, 240, 120, 60, 30, 15, 7.5 and 3.75 ppm was 93.3%, 80%, 73.3%, 63.3%, 56.6%, 50%, 45.6% and 43.3%, respectively. Fiprokill at the same concentration (480, 240, 120, 60, 30, 15, 7.5 and 3.75 ppm) caused 66.6%, 56.6%, 50%, 43.3%, 33.3%, 30%, 26.6% and 20% mortality, respectively. Biomax was found to be more toxic as compared to Fiprokill. LC50 values for H. indicola exposed to soil treated with Biomax and Fiprokill were 5.735 and 221.676 ppm, whereas LC90 values for H. indicola exposed to soil treated with Biomax and Fiprokill were 359.290 and 813.722 ppm, respectively. Biomax was repellent at 480, 240, 120 and 60 ppm while Fiprokill was found non-repellent at all the concentrations used.