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ARS Home » Plains Area » Kerrville, Texas » Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory » LAPRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #342878
Research Project: Cattle Fever Tick Control and Eradication

Location: Livestock Arthropod Pests Research

Title: Response of the Formosan subterranean termite to neighboring con-specific populations after baiting with Noviflumuron

Author
item BERNARD, SARAH - University Of Florida
item Osbrink, Weste
item SU, NAN-YAO - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/19/2016
Publication Date: 2/28/2017
Citation: Bernard, S., Osbrink, W.L., Su, N. 2017. Response of the Formosan subterranean termite to neighboring con-specific populations after baiting with Noviflumuron. Journal of Economic Entomology. 110:575-583.

Interpretive Summary: The Formosan termite is an economically important subterranean termite, particularly in the Southeastern United States where it is considered invasive. In studies, when two termite colonies met, they would fight and block their tunnels to keep separate. A new termite colony would invade the tunnels of another colony, which was eliminated by baiting with noviflumeron. Territories held by un-baited neighboring termites increased significantly, nearly doubling after invading the eliminated colonies tunnels. An invading termite colony would consume baits left by the previous colonies and be eliminated.

Technical Abstract: The Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki is an economically important subterranean termite, particularly in the Southeastern United States where it is considered invasive. In studies when two C. formosanus populations met, aggressive encounters resulted in blockages of tunnels; but reinvading termites unblocked obstructions or constructed new tunnels. Experiments in planar arenas in which one population of C. formosanus was baited resulted in elimination of baited termites and subsequent reinvasion of territory by neighboring termites. Territories held by unbaited neighboring termites increased significantly, nearly doubling after reinvasion. Reinvading termites consumed baits left by baited colonies and were eliminated.