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At the end of April 2018, a pest control company brought three termite soldiers and some alates to the Urban Pest Advisory Service (UPAS) for species determination. They were found in a building in a medium-sized city on Lake Zurich (Canton Zurich). A mitochondrial DNA analysis by the University of ...

Microcerotermes diversus (Silvestri) (Isoptera: Termitidae) is a major species of termites that attacks cellulosic materials and is an economically important pest, damaging buildings in Khuzestan Province (Iran). Neonicotinoids, most notably imidacloprid, have recently been introduced for pest contr...

Subterranean termites are the most economically damaging termites in the U.S. costing $11 billion annually for prevention, treatment, and repair of damage. However, termite colony spatial dynamics are an understudied topic. In previous laboratory studies, termite colonies of different species are ag...

The aim of this study is to present a methodology for Cryptotermes brevis control in such a fragile, old building environment. The described treatment was undertaken at Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Candelária, a church built in 1780 at Itu city, São Paulo. Its presbytery is made of cedar and was b...

The subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is native to North America. In its native range, it is widely distributed in the central and eastern U.S.A. where it plays a significant ecological role as a decomposer of cellulose and is a major pest of human built structures. It has been introduc...

The efficacy of Altriset® 20SC (AI, chlorantraniliprole) in controlling structural infestations of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, was assessed in Ohio, North Carolina, and Texas. Prior to chlorantraniliprole treatment, termites were collected from the structure as well as...

Limited data exist on foraging, agonistic and feeding behavior of subterranean termites of the same species but from different colonies. We conducted research to determine if subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) from different colonies may express unusual foraging, agonistic and f...

Coptotermes gestroi is an introduced pest of substantial economic impact in Brazil. A colony of this subterranean termite builds polycalic nests and uses simultaneously several food resources. However, there is no record of the flow of castes through the “calies” and among the different food sources...

Heterotermes convexinotatus (Snyder 1924) belongs to the group of subterranean termites, it is regarded as an important pest in passion fruit and corn crops in Venezuela and Colombia, it has also been found in Citrus orchards at the Caribbean coast of Colombia. In urban zones it had only been report...

In order to understand the characteristics of the termite infestation and suggest management measures aiming to their control, inspection in 53 households in a residential condominium located in the Ecological Park of Serra do Guararú (Rainforest), in Guarujá, Brazil was held in October 2010. Curren...

Little is known on the urban termites from the Central-Eastern Brazil. In order to report the most common termite genera, the city of Cuiabá, in the State of Mato Grosso was surveyed. Four neighborhoods were chosen along a Pest Control Company which noticed a high number of calls for termite control...

Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) show attractiveness for specific woods, but it is unknown whether this attractiveness may be altered by wood decomposition process. This study analized the foraging behavior of N. corniger when decayed woods in different stages are offered to termites nest. Wood s...

Subterranean termites are widely known by their substantial damage in urban areas. Coptotermes gestroi is an alien species originated from Asia, introduced accidently in Brazil, where is responsible for severe economical impact. To reduce the use of insecticides in the termite management, some resea...

This study examines the effect of dry soil on tunnel construction by the Formosan subterranean termite, Cptotermes formosanus. Termites did not construct tunnels in dry soil in any of the treatments. Termites only constructed tunnels in moist areas in treatments where the soil was partially moistene...

This paper describes the results of an evaluation done on the buildings and trees at Nossa Senhora das Vitorias district, located in Maua, Sao Paulo, Brazil, in order to verify the biodeterioration caused by Heterotermes assu, an unusual subterranean termite, in which the records of infestations in ...

The xylophagous insects attack all kind of cellulosic materials such as wood, furniture, books, papers and clothes. There are several xylophogous insect species, but termites (Isoptera) and beetles (Coleoptera) are the most important economically. The objective of this study was to survey the specie...

Colonies of Reticulitermes hesperus were baited to test the efficacy of lufenuron (ZyroxTM) and to assess reinvasion of the foraging sites vacated by eliminated colonies. Twelve colonies of R. hesperus were characterized with cuticular hydrocarbon analyses, mark-recapture, agonistic behavioral studi...

Ten years ago we identified a new European termite species called Reticulitermes urbis in the city of Domène (near Grenoble) in the French Alps. Subsequently our team established a contract with Domène city officials to describe this new taxon and evaluate the termite population in an effort to devi...

Wood construction materials were exposed to eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes, for 8 wk to determine termite damage and changes in thermal properties. Termite tunnels allowed heat to flow unobstructed through the sample resulting in ~35% increase in temperature (damaged vs. unda...

Reticulitermes santonensis (Rhinotermitidae) is a subterranean termite that infests urban areas in France where it causes serious economic damages. It is largely accepted that French populations of R. santonensis have been founded by the introduction of a North American species, R. flavipes. Underst...

This study investigated the effects of food deprivation on survival, cannibalism, body weight, and hindgut symbiotic protist communities in Eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Termite groups in natural worker and soldier ratio were tested in Petri dishes that were half f...

To minimize pesticide use and intrusion to homes, we evaluate the efficacy of an innovative limited interior perimeter plus external perimeter application of imidacloprid as an IPM option in post-construction termite control in a dilution of ratio 1:400. Seven private houses were chosen for the rese...

Twenty-six treatments were conducted using an integrated management approach to removing subterranean termite infestations from structures on the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA campus. Termite infestations were identified by building occupants followed by an inspection, development of an act...

Termite activity had been continuously monitored in four sections of City Park since 2002. Between 2002 and 2005, 12 distinct Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, colonies had been delineated using mark-release-recapture techniques. This study examines how the distribution ...

The importance of termite (Isoptera) population for world ecology is based on: it is extremely populated order; this order increases its population during many years; these insects have a big importance because of destroying wood construction; the taxon has important effect on concentration of globa...

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), is the most economically important structural pest in the New Orleans metro area, Louisiana, U.S.A.. In 1998, two significant projects were initiated to determine the effectiveness of area-wide subterranea...

Five natural and 16 synthetic compounds were evaluated for termiticidal activity against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). The naphthoquinones menadione, plumbagin, and juglone, and the benzoquinones thymoquinone, and coenzyme Q1 killed al...

Indoxacarb is an EPA designated reduced risk insecticide. This study was to evaluate indoxacarb for its toxicity, non-repellency, and transmission as liquid termiticide against eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Toxic effectiveness and non-repellency were determined usin...

The introduction of termites into new areas is a potential threat given the magnitude of national and international commerce. We review a number of case studies that document exotic termites in the eastern U.S., with emphasis on two states, Ohio and Georgia. We discuss the value of employing a multi...

Tunnel construction by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki is initially random, with tunnels radiating outward in a uniform circular distribution from the point of origin. The degree of branching of these tunnels may be species- specific, and reflect the pattern of occurrence of food resources in differe...

Pest Management Professionals had the opportunity to use new chemistry of non-repellent active ingredients (termiticides) for subterranean termite control. These active ingredients provide control through reduction of termite populations. The pest control industry has asked if the newer non-repellen...

Accurate species identification underlies all termite field studies and population genetic research. With more than 170 species of termites in Peninsular Malaysia, it has been challenging to elucidate proper taxonomic records among the species studied, particularly within the family Termitidae. This...

Aqueous solutions containing thiamethoxam were applied via foam and liquid to boards containing active infestations of the Western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor (Hagen)). Two sites each in northern and southern California were included in the study. Structures included in field evaluations con...

Task-switching between foraging and building in workers of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Termitidae), a subterranean, mound-building termite, was investigated using mark-recapture. Foragers were collected from wood-filled drums and marked with Nile blue, whereas builders were collected from the mound by d...

This study evaluated the effects of two commercially available products that have been used to supplement bait stations on feeding and tunneling behavior of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. A bioassay was conducted to examine the effects of water-soluble chemicals e...

An area-wide management project to control the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (FST), in the New Orleans French Quarter (FQ) began in1998. Initially, all properties within fifteen square blocks were treated with either commercially available non-repellent termiticides o...

Management of subterranean termites for past years depends mainly on cyclodiene and organophosphorous termiticides. During those years, these chemicals appeared to be the most suitable chemicals for controlling subterranean termite. However, public concern regarding environmental and health issues c...

A number of previous studies have reported superior levels of efficacy for slow-acting, non-repellent toxicants in laboratory simulations against drywood termites, but very little research has been conducted in naturally infested wood. We utilized boards naturally infested with Cryptotermes brevis (...

Unlike insects foraging above ground where individuals can explore over an area and then lay a recruitment trail for others to follow, subterranean termites search for food by constructing underground tunnels. Studies have showed that termite tunnel orientations are affected by physical irregulariti...

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is a highly destructive invasive pest species in many tropical and subtropical regions. The survival of this termite is dependent on its gut microbes (protozoa and bacteria). Therefore, alternative strategies may be devised in the fu...

The cryptic habits in lower termites of the family Rhinotermitidae make any understanding of their behavior a difficult task. The secretive nature of their search and foraging behaviors has limited our understanding of these economically significant termites for decades. The behaviors of the foundin...

The RockPointe Condominium Complex in Chatsworth, California, USA, has had a long history of subterranean termite activity and termite-related homeowner complaints. A total of 7,327 Sentricon® stations were installed between October and December of 2001 along the perimeter of 134 buildings, and insp...

The influence of seasonal ground temperature and relative humidity on cellulose consumption by two native subterranean termite species was evaluated in South Carolina, USA. Seven colonies of Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar and six colonies of R. virginicus (Banks) were studied. In-ground plastic buck...

Imidacloprid, the active ingredient in Premise®, is a slow-acting, non-repellent termiticide used to control termites in residential and commercial applications. Workers acquire imidacloprid from contact with treated soil, and then transfer the AI among individuals throughout the colony. However, th...

In termites, the mechanisms underlying caste differentiation and related physiological processes have remained elusive. To address this problem, we undertook a genomic research program that uses the common U.S. termite Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar as a model. These studies have allowed us to uncov...

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the genetic variation and gene flow of Coptotermes formosanus(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area using multi-locus DNA markers. Previous research from this lab using maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA sequence marker...

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), is currently considered the most destructive insect in Louisiana. It attacks living trees eating the centers and constructing a carton nest within. Infested trees can serve as reservoirs for termites to in...

An ongoing survey of termites in Ohio was initiated during spring 2001. The pest-management industry contributed substantially to termite-collecting efforts, which were coordinated by the Entomology Department, Ohio State University. This survey effort, including materials and procedures, is detaile...

The cryptic nature of native subterranean termites,Reticulitermes spp., has posed a serious problem for researchers desiring to study their biology and ecology. The nature of a colony and the parameters that define a subterranean colony have been the topic of recent debate. Some researchers have con...

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is a severe invasive urban pest species. Presumably native to China, this termite has been introduced to many areas of the world including Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland. Improved regulatory and remedial control of this pest species re...

We are evaluating natural and synthetic chemicals for their abilities to influence caste differentiation in common midwestern subterranean termites (genus Reticulitermes). This poster presents results of our efforts using Juvenile Hormone (JH) and synthetic JH analogs to induce presoldier and nymph ...

This study compares the responses of termites to the lignin-degrading basidiomycete, Marasmiellus troyanus (Murrill) Singer, grown on different substrates, and examines the tunneling behavior of termites in sand treated with extracts of fungus-infected pure lignin versus solvent-treated sand. Termit...

Subterfuge® termite bait contains 0.3% hydramethylnon in a wood-flour matrix. Hydramethylnon provides a delayed-action mortality that allows for transfer of lethal doses within the termite population, followed by a relatively rapid elimination of the termites. Subterfuge® is effective in controlling...

To investigate the social organization of Reticulitermes flavipes, we studied three populations in undisturbed wooded areas of North Carolina - one in each of the Piedmont, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Coastal Plain regions. We collected workers from natural wood debris, genotyped 20 workers per...

Subterranean termites of the genus Reticulitermes play a critical role in decomposition of dead wood in natural ecosystems. But in urban areas they are pests that cause serious damage. Reticulitermes santonensis Feytaud is found in distinct areas in Paris (France). More than half the neighborhoods (...

Commercially available termite-baiting systems were evaluated for efficacy in a management program for Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Termite-baiting systems evaluated include Sentricon® (Dow AgroSciences), with hexaflumuron, FirstLine® (FMC Corp.), and Terminate® (U...

A modified test-tube bioassay was developed for Heterotermes aureususing Arizona soil samples from covered and exposed weathered termiticide plots. An organophosphate, a pyrethroid, a phenylpyrazol, and a nicotinoid were evaluated at 4 hours and 12 months post-application. Termites were placed in bi...

Tunneling of the Formosan subterranean termite,Coptotermes formosanusShiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), has been observed in the laboratory with groups of foragers extracted from field colonies or from colonies maintained in the laboratory, but there is little information on tunneling by foragers ...

Structure, distribution and number of surface sensilla on the antenna of Prorhinotermes simplex (Rhinotermitidae, Isoptera) were studied by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Distribution and organization of sensilla on the antenna of pseudergates, presoldiers (=white soldier...

Heterotermes aureus (Snyder) continues to be the number one urban pest in the arid southwest (USA). Demand by pest control operators and consumers regarding information on termiticides and bait technology remains high. The primary control mechanism continues to be liquid barriers, but bait technolog...

Monitoring stations of were used to observe foraging and feeding behavior of Reticulitermes at the Institute of Forest Genetics (IFG) near Placerville, and at a site in Novato. At IFG 53 monitoring stations were used by cuticular hydrocarbon phenotype A, 10 by phenotype B, and 5 by phenotype C. At N...

A dust containing 80% triflumuron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, was tested for its efficacy in eradicating colonies of subterranean termites (Coptotermes spp.) in the Sydney-Newcastle area, Australia. Triflumuron is believed to act on a termite colony in the following way: first the queen stops lay...

Rigid board insulations, including polystyrenes, polyisocyanurates and others, are used as standard building materials. In the past decade problems developed with subterranean termites entering structures, undetected, when rigid board insulation was installed as a continuous sheet beginning below gr...

The French Quarter of New Orleans is the site for a new national campaign against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, an exotic species that now infests 13 states. The campaign includes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, the Louisiana State Uni...

A sensor comprised of a wooden monitor on which a conductive circuit of silver particle emulsion was painted was placed in a monitoring/baiting station to detect foraging activity of the subterranean termite, Coptotermes havilandi Holmgren on Little Cayman. Sensor accuracy was 100% one month after i...

Many historical sites in Italy suffer severe damages to wood structures, works of art and ancient books due to well established subterranean termite populations (Reticulitermes sp., R. lucifugus lucifugus, R. lucifugus corsicus). In six field tests, termite colonies were treated with a baiting proce...

Systematic Termite ControlSM (STC) is a program developed by FMC Corporation to provide the professional pest control industry with a new, integrated strategy for the control of subterranean termite populations. The objective of STC is structural protectio,n, i.e., to control termite activity within...

Intragallery application of 0.23% or 0.5% spinosad (suspension concentrate, SC) resulted in 98-100% drywood termite mortality in a laboratory simulated gallery bioassay and significantly reduced drywood termite activity, as measured using an acoustic emissions detector (AED), in a comparative field ...

Populations of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were characterized on a 141,645 m2 research facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. 32.7% of loblolly pines (Pinus taeda), 12.5% cedar (Juniperus sp.), 8.2% live oaks (Quercus virginiana), and 4.6% of baldcypress (Taxodium di...

A weak link in the implementation of effective termite baiting techniques is reliable recruitment of termite foragers to baits. Little is known about how termites locate food sources, but many factors may influence whether foragers find and recruit to a given bait. These include the abundance and pa...

No choice feeding tests, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) weekly survival and feeding on two bait toxicants was compared for sound sweetgum blocks and those decayed by Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers. ex Fr.) Murr. At 100 ppm, imidacloprid and sulfluramid showed promise for subterranean termite control. ...