Laboratory Evaluation of the Marking Effect of Sudan Red 7B on Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes speratus) in Republic of Korea

The dye marker Sudan Red 7B was tested as an effective and appropriate marking method for searching the territory of the termite, Reticulitermes speratus, in Korea. The sensitivity of termites to the dye marker was evaluated by measuring the feed consumption amount, survival rate, retention time, and transfer efficiency of R. speratus according to the concentration and feeding period of Sudan Red 7B. As the concentration conditions of dye marker increase, Sudan Red 7B remarkably reduced the feed consumption of the termites. The survival rate was not significantly different from that of the control group (more than 90%), except when feed containing 1% or 2% concentrations of the dye marker was given for five days. The duration of the marking effect persisted for seven days, even at a concentration of 2% dye marker in the feed. No dye transfer by trophallaxis occurred between termites marked with Sudan Red 7B and unmarked termites.