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Title: CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF THE FORMOSAN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE (ISOPTERA:RHINOTERMITIDAE) IN THE UNITED STATES

Author
item WOODSON, W. - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item Wiltz, Beverly
item Lax, Alan

Submitted to: Sociobiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2001
Publication Date: 10/1/2001
Citation: Woodson, W.D., Wiltz, B.A., Lax, A.R. CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF THE FORMOSAN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE) IN THE UNITED STATES. Sociobiology 37(3B):661-671. 2001.

Interpretive Summary: The extent of the Formosan subterranean termite infestation in the United States is poorly understood. A survey of the literature and entomologists working on termites was undertaken to map out the current distribution of the Formosan subterranean termite in the United States. Formosan subterranean termites were found in 94 counties and in eleven states across sthe the country. This map shows pest control operators and others where we know that the termite has been found and to adjust their management practices accordingly. Most of the Formosan subterranean termite infestations could be traced back to infested wood products being recycled, implicating man as the primary disseminator of the termite.

Technical Abstract: The distribution of the Formosan subterranean termite in the United States was determined from the literature and personal communications with state officials, state extension service personnel, university entomologists and others. Based on this information we determined that there are 94 counties/parishes in eleven states that have been or currently are infested with Formosan subterranean termites. Movement of infested wood is the main culprit in the spread of this pest.