Effect of Chlortetracycline and Other Antibiotics on Protozoan Numbers in the Eastern Subterranean Termite12

Abstract

Termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), were exposed to Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers. ex Fr.) Murr. decayed (attractive) wood blocks impregnated with antibiotics in tests with an alternate food source (choice tests). Neither atabrine nor chloroquine phosphate significantly reduced protozoan numbers, possibly because termites did not readily feed on wood blocks treated with these chemicals. Wood blocks and filter pads treated with chlortetracycline also were placed in tests with no alternate food supply (no-choice tests). Chlortetracycline (CTC, aureomycin) eliminated protozoa and subsequently killed termites in both choice (decayed wood blocks) and no-choice (absorbent pads and decayed wood blocks) tests. Therefore, CTC may have potential for use in the bait-block method of termite control.