The underlying behavioral and physiological effects of CSI baits on subterranean termites explain their successful implementation

In 1995, the launch of commercial CSI bait led to a transformation of the subterranean termite control industry around world. Their slow mode of action and their ability to be transferred by trophallaxis among all nestmates made them cost-effective solutions for termite management. However, how CSI bait active ingredients would lead to colony elimination upon feeding by termite foragers has remained speculative for decades. A recent series of studies has finally shed light on how CSI baits utilizes termites’ inherent behavior and physiology to trigger colony elimination after a characteristic succession of events within the colony collapse process. In this tribute symposium to Prof. Nan-Yao Su for his contribution to the field of urban entomology and his lifetime scientific achievements, this presentation provides a retrospective on how his initial understanding of termite biology placed him on the right side of pest control history.