Project Number: 6435-32000-012-09
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Mar 01, 2010
End Date: Sep 30, 2012

Objective:
1. Description of the biology of invasive termites species in Hawaii, particularly Coptotermes gestroi. 2. Assessment of novel wood preservatives and engineered woods products for use in regions like Hawaii with high-risk structures from termites. 3. Improve baiting and targeted soil insecticide applications by integrating the control techniques with new knowledge about termite foraging behavior.

Approach:
Objective 1: Coptotermes gestroi has been identified by ARS researchers and university cooperators as the principle new invasive termite species threatening Hawaii and the continental USA. Field sites for termite collection and monitoring will be established and we will quantify tunneling patterns of Asian subterranean termite in comparision to Formosan subterranean termite that could affect control methods, using laboratory arenas. Objective 2: Determine wood preference of Asian subterranean termite and assess efficacy of novel wood products in laboratory assays. Objective 3: Quantify tunneling patterns of Asian subterranean termite in comparison to Formosan subterranean termite that could affect control methods, using laboratory arenas. We will determine environmental characteristcs correlated with Asian subterranean termite infestation in Hawaii.