How Genetic Studies Can Help with Subterranean Termite Management

Abstract:
Here I review the application of genetic techniques to subterranean termite studies, focusing on their contributions to applied science. Current use of molecular genetic methods in the area of termite management fall into two main categories: 1.) taxonomy and species identification; and 2.) colony identification. DNA sequencing data are helping to clarify the poorly resolved state of subterranean termite taxonomy. These studies provide new tools for accurate species identification, helping to detect the presence of exotic species outside their native range and determine their geographic sources. Colony identification through DNA fingerprinting distinguishes large numbers of colonies and tracks them over extended periods. Such studies are providing information on the abundance of colonies in locations, the size and shape of foraging areas, and colony breeding structure. In addition, genetic methods allow for the evaluation of colony-level effects of termiticides applied in the field. This information has a role in the registration of new termiticides. The availability of a termite genome should provide many new promising targets for termite control, including genes critical to termites or their gut symbionts, that could be for silenced using RNAi or other methods.