Alteration of molting process caused by noviflumuron in Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

This study describes both the behavioral and histological process of termite ecdysis and their changes induced by noviflumuron. In the histological study, we focused on three aspects: the protozoan voiding, tracheal system replacement and new cuticle formation. Our results showed that noviflumuron did not affect protozoan voiding process. However, noviflumuron prevented proper formation of new cuticles, and caused incomplete separation of old tracheas from new cuticles. Our behavioral observation further confirmed our histological study.  In the absence of new cuticles being formed, termites could not complete the ecdysis and eventually died.