CHARACTERIZATION of SUBTERREANEAN TERMITE POPULATIONS as PART of BAIT EVALUTION

Abstract:
The development of termite baits has demanded effective means of evaluating the success of commercial bait systems. Evaluation has been complicated by unknown factors concerning subterranean termite biology and foraging as well as a lack of definitive research methods. One important element of effective evaluation is the ability to characterize a termite population prior to treatment. In this study, monitoring, species identification based on soldiers, and DNA sequences from the mitochondrial A-T rich region were utilized to define termite populations in three field plots. Outpost TDS monitors (Bayer) produced no termite activity for a six-month period with continued activity on an independent monitoring system. Soldiers could be identified to species using a combination of labral shape and mandible curvature. Mitochodrial haplotypes were not definitive for each colony.