Time lapse between two molts of workers of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and its implication for ingestion of lethal dose of a chitin synthesis inhibitor

Chitin synthesis inhibitor-based baiting programs have been successful in eliminating colonies of subterranean termite in fields. Depending on the population of workers in a colony, the average time taken to eliminate a colony can be ~3 months. The acceleration of bait activity for elimination of a colony depends on the event of molting and consumption of the lethal dose of the toxicant by individuals. Unfortunately, the number of termites molting in a colony and the time of their molt cannot be regulated. Furthermore, concentration of a toxicant in baits can be changed but the amount of toxicant ingested by an individual cannot be manipulated. This study provides information on the time lapse between two molts for an individual and if the period between two consecutive molts is sufficient to acquire the lethal dose resulting in mortality.