Measuring wood consumption by subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) with digitized images

A method is described in which consumption by termites of a feeding block composed of 36 thin (2-mm) wooden slats is estimated with a video image analysis. The significant regression between dry wood weight loss and decreased pixel count of digitized images demonstrates that the video image technique may be a useful tool to quantify termite feeding. Time required to measure wood consumption with the video image technique (approximately 11.5 min per sample) was significantly less than that for the manual method of washing, and weighing wooden blocks damaged by termite feeding (approximately 21.0 min per sample).     

Hermetically sealed baits for subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Cellulose baits containing 0.5% hexaflumuron were hermetically sealed in a closed cell polyethylene sheet envelope and placed in soil to test their durability and efficacy against field colonies of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, or the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). The closed cell polyethylene sheet was readily tunneled through by termites, yet it was impervious to water and protected the cellulose baits and hexaflumuron from the environment. Only in a few incidents did the polyethylene envelope become infiltrated by plant roots, resulting in water intrusion and apparent degradation of cellulose baits. After consuming one to three sealed baits, three colonies each of both termite species were eliminated. The sealed baits may be placed in soil for months or years without the need of monitoring, and they are readily penetrated and fed upon by termites when they are present. Application of baits hermetically sealed in a protective sheet may save labor costs by bypassing the monitoring phase, circumvent the station avoidance by some termite species, and enable the use of baiting technologies in large areas such as agricultural fields in which the manual monitoring is impractical.     

两种鼻白蚁之间的入侵关系

设计了5个实验以研究台湾乳白蚁(Coptotermes formosanus)和黄肢散白蚁(Reticulitermes flavipes)的种间斗争关系。所试白蚁来自阿拉巴马州。实验1将两组白蚁的兵蚁和工蚁以自然比例混合(台湾乳白蚁工蚁：兵蚁＝20：5,黄肢散白蚁工蚁：兵蚁＝24：1);实验2观察了双方同数量(各25头)工蚁的种间斗争能力;实验3观察两者同数量(各5头)兵蚁的种间斗争关系;实验4、5分别研究双方工蚁与兵蚁的斗争关系。因两种工蚁形态相似,所以在实验前用0．1％Nile blue A染过的滤纸饲喂一方白蚁24h使虫体着色以便观察。所有实验在22℃,65％RH荧光灯下进行。每个实验将两方白蚁同时放入一培养皿中,观察至一方100％受伤,然后把培养皿移到培养箱内,24小时后统计死亡率。结果表明,实验一开始,双方的工蚁和兵蚁都立即进入残酷的厮杀斗争,台湾乳白蚁兵蚁和工蚁的斗争能力都明显强于黄肢散白蚁;兵蚁的斗争行为不受工蚁的影响,工蚁的斗争能力也不受兵蚁的制约。实验中台湾乳白蚁的工蚁与黄肢散白蚁的兵蚁攻击能力相当,但黄肢散白蚁的工蚁却远弱于台湾乳白蚁的兵蚁。上述结果说明,自然界中不可能出现此两种白蚁群体的偶然性融合;外来的台湾乳白蚁很可能在其群体建立的地区占据优势[动物学报49(3)：295—302,2003]。     

Control of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) infesting power poles

A trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of termiticidal dusts (arsenic trioxide, triflumuron, and Metarhizium anisopliae), a timber fumigant (dazomet) and liquid termiticides (bifenthrin, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, fipronil, and imidacloprid) for controlling subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) infesting in-service power poles in New South Wales, Australia. Dusts were applied to parts of the pole where termites were present. Fumigant was inserted into holes drilled into the base of the pole. Liquid termiticides were mixed with soil around the base of the pole and injected into internal voids if present. Poles were inspected for up to 5 yr, and the time taken for reinfestation to occur was recorded. Before the start of the trial, the major Australian pole owners were surveyed to obtain an estimate of the annual national cost of termite infestation to the power supply industry. The annual costs of termite treatment and replacing damaged poles were estimated at AU$2 million and AU$13 million, respectively. Infestation rates were lower for all treatments compared with controls within the first 12 mo of the study. Dazomet, arsenic trioxide, fipronil, and chlorpyrifos were the most efficacious treatments. Efficacy was positively related to the amount of termiticide applied and negatively related to the infestation severity but was unaffected by geographical location. Survival curves were calculated of the time elapsed before the recurrence of termite infestations (survival absence of reinfestation). Survival was highest for poles treated with liquid termiticides.     

Tunneling activity of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in sand with moisture gradients

Tunnel formation by Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes was studied in a two-dimensional foraging arena with a moisture gradient. Moisture did not appear to affect tunneling when termite first emerged from the central release chamber. But as termites of both species moved further away from the chamber and into a moisture gradient, they tunneled significantly (P < 0.05) more in sand with a higher moisture content than in sand with a lower moisture content. Over the 10 d test period, both termite species tunneled more in sand with a higher moisture content. Fractal analysis indicated that regardless of the sand moisture content, termite tunnel geometry had a fractal dimension and termites generally tunneled more in higher moisture sand.     

Time trends in mortality for thiamethoxam and fipronil against Formosan subterranean termites and eastern subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Time trends in mortality for the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), were determined for thiamethoxam and fipronil. Filter paper treated with 50 ppm thiamethoxam led to >80% mortality in 2-4 d for R. flavipes, whereas 5 ppm thiamethoxam resulted in >80% mortality in 2-3 d for C. formosanus. Filter paper treated with 1 ppm fipronil resulted in >80% mortality in 5 d for R. flavipes and 9 d for C. formosanus, indicating that thiamethoxam is faster acting than fipronil. As concentration decreases for slow-acting termiticides, the time required for adverse effects to be fully expressed increases.     

Estimating relative decline in populations of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) due to baiting.

Although mark-recapture protocols produce inaccurate population estimates of termite colonies, they might be employed to estimate a relative change in colony size. This possibility was tested using two Australian, mound-building, wood-eating, subterranean Coptotermes species. Three different toxicants delivered in baits were used to decrease (but not eliminate) colony size, and a single mark-recapture protocol was used to estimate pre- and postbaiting population sizes. For both species, the numbers of termites retrieved from bait stations varied widely, resulting in no significant differences in the numbers of termites sampled between treatments in either the pre- or postbaiting protocols. There were significantly fewer termites sampled in all treatments, controls included, in the postbaiting protocol compared with the pre-, suggesting a seasonal change in forager numbers. The comparison of population estimates shows a large decrease in toxicant treated colonies compared with little change in control colonies, which suggests that estimating the relative decline in population size using mark-recapture protocols might to be possible. However, the change in population estimate was due entirely to the significantly lower recapture rate in the control colonies relative to the toxicant treated colonies, as numbers of unmarked termites did not change between treatments. The population estimates should be treated with caution because low recapture rates produce dubious population estimates and, in some cases, postbaiting mark-recapture population estimates could be much greater than those at prebaiting, despite consumption of bait in sufficient quantities to cause population decline. A possible interaction between fat-stain markers and toxicants should be investigated if mark-recapture population estimates are used. Alternative methods of population change are advised, along with other indirect measures.     

Tunnel specificity and forager movement in subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae)

The movement of foragers of two species of Australian, subterranean, mound-building termites, Coptotermes lacteus (Froggatt) (Rhinotermitidae) and Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Termitidae), was investigated in their natural habitat using artificial feeding sites along trenches dug to mimic natural forager tunnels that radiate out from the central mound-nests. Termites were dyed by self-feeding on cardboard soaked with histological fat-stains on one or two trenches and then termites were collected from other feeding sites at two and four weeks after the fat-stains were placed. At two and four weeks after marking commenced, 60-75% of marked termites were found in trenches containing the marked paper, and 2-16% were found in trenches on the opposite side of the nest. The proportion of marked termites in a sample was three to eight times greater in the trenches containing the marked paper relative to other trenches. Although difficulties with fat-stains used as markers might explain some of the observed patterns, it is evident that C. lacteus and N. exitiosus foragers do not move randomly between feeding sites in their natural habitat.     

Antitermitic effect of the Lantana camara plant on subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract The insecticidal effects of Lantana camara L. (flowers, leaves, stems and roots) and the soil where lantana had been growing, on foraging activity and survival of the subterranean termites Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes were examined in a 3-week experiment. The soil in which lantana had been growing had no effect on termite tunneling and survival. Incorporation of chipped fresh lantana leaves and stems into soil had no effect on mortality but caused significant reduction in tunneling. The 5-cm wide barrier of soil with lantana tissue incorporated effectively repelled groups of both species from penetrating the barrier and thus prevented infestation of a piece of wood on the other side of the barrier. C. formosanus was more sensitive in avoiding the barrier than R. flavipes. Leaves, stems and flowers were more repellent than roots. These results provide preliminary evidence that fresh-cut lantana leaves, stems and flowers may have use as additives to garden mulches against termites.     

Catnip essential oil as a barrier to subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the laboratory

The essential oil of catnip, Nepeta cataria (Lamiacae) was evaluated for behavioral effects on two populations of subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and R. virginicus (Banks) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). The catnip essential oil contained approximately 36:64 E,Z-nepetalactone and Z,E-nepetalactone, respectively. The time to 50% dissipation (DT50) of the isomers in sand was dependent on dose, and ranged from 5.7 to 12.6 d for the E,Z-isomer and 7.7-18.6 d for the Z,E-isomer. For R. flavipes, the 24-h topical LD50 value was approximately 8200 microg/g termite. The 24-h fumigation LC50 value for R. flavipes was between 36 and 73 microg/ml air, and the 7-d fumigation LC50 value was between 14 and 36 microg/ml air. Exposure of R. virginicus to treated sand resulted in a 24-h LC50 value (95% F.L.) of 84 (67.6, 112) microg/cm2 and a 7-d LC50 value of 21.1 (16.4, 26.8) microg/cm2; for R. flavipes these values were 63.2 (53.7, 73.9) and 44.4 (34.6, 58.1) microg/cm2, respectively. Vertical tunneling through treated sand was eliminated at 500 ppm for R. virginicus and at 250 ppm for R. flavipes. Horizontal tunneling was stopped at 250 ppm for R. virginicus and reduced at doses above 250 ppm for R. flavipes. Although tunneling ceased in these tests, mortality was not high, indicating that the termites avoided the treated sand. Efficacy of catnip oil was equivalent to other monoterpenoids reported in the literature.     

Nutritional ecology of the formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): feeding response to commercial wood species

The feeding preferences of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were tested in three separate experiments on 28 different wood species. Experiment 1 was a multiple-choice test designed to test relative preferences among 24 wood species commercially available in New Orleans, LA. Experiment 2 was a similar study designed to test relative preferences among 21 wood species shown or reported to be unpalatable to the Formosan subterranean termite. Experiment 3 was a no-choice test to examine the feeding deterrence of the 10 least preferred wood species. Preference was determined by consumption rates. Birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), red gum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), Parana pine [Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) 1, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), pecan (Carya illinoensis Wangenh.), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) were the most preferred species by C. formosanus in order of consumption rate. All of these species were significantly more preferred than southern yellow pine (Pinus taeda L.), widely used for monitoring. Sinker cypress [ = old growth bald cypress, Taxodium distichum (L.)], western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn), Alaskan yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis D. Don), eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.), sassafras [Sassafras albidum (Nutt.)], Spanish cedar (Cedrella odorata L.), Honduras mahogany (Swietenia macrophyla King), Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.), Honduras rosewood (D. stevensonii Standl.), and morado (Machaerium sp.) induced significant feeding deterrence and mortality to C. formosanus. The last eight species produced 100% mortality after 3 mo.     

Effect of tolerance to insecticides on substrate penetration by Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Seven selected insecticides were applied to three substrates and bioassayed for barrier efficacy and toxicity against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, originating from colonies that differed in their tolerance to the insecticides. A profound substrate effect was seen with all insecticides tested. Sand was the most difficult substrate to penetrate and caused faster and greater mortality of C. formosanus. Increased tolerance in C. formosanus was accompanied by a decrease in penetration of treated substrata with chlordane, methoxychlor, chlorpyrifos, and deltamethrin. The opposite was true in the case of permethrin and bendiocarb. More tolerance C. formosanus displayed decreased mortality in the presence of chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, bendiocarb, and fipronil. The opposite was true for permethrin.     

Preadaptation for parthenogenetic colony foundation in subterranean termites Reticulitermes spp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Thelytokous (all-female producing) parthenogenesis, in some cases, involves reproductive advantages against obligate sexual reproduction. However, the completion of parthenogenesis takes multiple steps without the help of males, and thus preadaptation that meets those requirements will be an important factor for the evolution of parthenogenesis. The Japanese subterranean termite, Reticulitermes speratus, is known to have the ability of parthenogenetic colony foundation, where females that failed to mate with males found colonies cooperatively with partner females and reproduce by parthenogenesis. In this study, we compared the parthenogenetic ability and the colony initiation behavior among six Reticulitermes species in Japan. All species other than R. speratus were not able to reproduce parthenogenetically. Nevertheless, females of these species without the parthenogenetic ability performed homosexual female–female colony initiation and produced eggs without fertilization. In addition, in one species without parthenogenetic reproduction, R. kanmonensis, female–female pair initiated founding behavior as quickly as a heterosexual pair. These results suggest that female–female colony initiation and virgin egg-laying are predominant characters among the genus Reticulitermes and provide a preadaptive condition for parthenogenetic colony foundation in R. speratus.     

Laboratory performance and pharmacokinetics of the benzoylphenylurea noviflumuron in eastern subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

A benzoylphenylurea insect growth regulator with the common name noviflumuron was evaluated for use as a baiting toxicant against the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Noviflumuron demonstrated significantly greater potency and faster speed of action compared with the commercial standard hexaflumuron. In addition, noviflumuron was not a feeding deterrent on filter paper at concentrations of up to 10,000 ppm. The rates of uptake, clearance, and insect-to-insect transfer of [14C] noviflumuron were measured in R. flavipes in laboratory assays and compared with those previously reported for [14C]hexaflumuron. Under a continuous exposure regime, the uptake profile for noviflumuron was similar to that for hexaflumuron, although the time period of maximal uptake was shorter for noviflumuron. Noviflumuron was cleared from termites in a first order process with a half-life of approximately 29 d, whereas the half-life of hexaflumuron was much shorter (8-9 d). Noviflumuron was efficiently transferred from treated to untreated termites by trophallaxis via kinetics similar to those reported for hexaflumuron; however, the systemic dose of noviflumuron required to result in toxicity of R. flavipes was found to be at least two- to three-fold less than that of hexaflumuron. The faster activity of noviflumuron compared with hexaflumuron in R. flavipes can be at least partially explained by the combination of slower clearance and greater intrinsic activity.     

Repellent effects of isoborneol on subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in soils of different composition

The repellence of the plant-derived bicyclic monoterpenoid isoborneol on subterranean termites was assessed in short-term laboratory bioassays. Depending on concentration, application of isoborneol to different soil types was efficient in creating repellent soil barriers, which were not penetrated by workers of Reticulitermes santonensis De Feytaud or R. flavipes Kollar within 2 wk after adding the substance to the substrate. Isoborneol-treated barriers did not affect termite survival. The bioavailability of the active ingredient decreased with increasing clay content of the soil. Evaporation of isoborneol from treated soil increased with increasing particle size of the substrate and could be reduced by covering the soil surface.     

Dual origin of gut proteases in Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Cellulose digestion in lower termites, mediated by carbohydrases originating from both termite and endosymbionts, is well characterized. In contrast, limited information exists on gut proteases of lower termites, their origins and roles in termite nutrition. The objective of this study was to characterize gut proteases of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). The protease activity of extracts from gut tissues (fore-, mid- and hindgut) and protozoa isolated from hindguts of termite workers was quantified using hide powder azure as a substrate and further characterized by zymography with gelatin SDS-PAGE. Midgut extracts showed the highest protease activity followed by the protozoa extracts. High level of protease activity was also detected in protozoa culture supernatants after 24 h incubation. Incubation of gut and protozoa extracts with class-specific protease inhibitors revealed that most of the proteases were serine proteases. All proteolytic bands identified after gelatin SDS-PAGE were also inhibited by serine protease inhibitors. Finally, incubation with chromogenic substrates indicated that extracts from fore- and hindgut tissues possessed proteases with almost exclusively trypsin-like activity while both midgut and protozoa extracts possessed proteases with trypsin-like and subtilisin/chymotrypsin-like activities. However, protozoa proteases were distinct from midgut proteases (with different molecular mass). Our results suggest that the Formosan subterranean termite not only produces endogenous proteases in its gut tissues, but also possesses proteases originating from its protozoan symbionts.     

Toxicity, repellency, and transfer of chlorfenapyr against western subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Chlorfenapyr is a slow-acting insecticide against western subterranean termite, Reticulitermes hesperus Banks, when applied to sand. The LD50 at day 7 for workers is 29.98 ng per termite and considerably higher than that of chlorpyrifos (14.01), cypermethrin (3.21), and fipronil (0.16). Brief exposures to sand treated with chlorfenapyr resulted in dose-dependent mortality over a broad range of concentrations. Brief 1-h exposures to > or =75 ppm provided >88% kill of termites at day 7. Chlorfenapyr deposits did not repel termites, even at 300 ppm. Termites tunneled from 0.1 to 1.8 cm into sand treated with 10- to 300-ppm chlorfenapyr deposits, resulting in > or =70% mortality. Within 1 h after being exposed to 50 ppm chlorfenapyr, approximately 17% of the termites exhibited impaired responses to synthetic trail pheromone. By 4 h, nearly 60% of the workers were not able to follow a 10 fg/cm pheromone trail. There was a direct linear relationship of the uptake of [14C]chlorfenapyr as concentration and duration of exposure increased. The percentage of chlorfenapyr transferred to recipients varied from 13.3 to 38.4%. Donors exposed for 1 h transferred a greater percentage of chlorfenapyr than did donors exposed for 4 h. A 1-h exposure on 100-ppm deposits provided sufficient uptake to kill 100% of the donors and sufficient transfer to kill 96% of the recipients. There was not enough transfer for recipients to serve as secondary donors and kill other termites. Horizontal transfer is limited to contact with the original donor and by the decreased mobility of workers within 4-8 h after exposure to treated sand. The effectiveness of chlorfenapyr barrier treatments is primarily due to its nonrepellency and delayed toxicity.     

Repellent and toxic effects of plant extracts on subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

The effects of four plant extract formulations on the orientation and survival of subterranean termites were tested. In choice experiments, extract-treated filter paper had a significantly repellent effect on groups of Reticulitermes santonensis De Feytaud, R. virginicus (Banks), Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and Schedorhinotermes intermedius Breinli. There was no species-specific difference in avoidance behavior toward the tested concentrations. No-choice experiments revealed toxic properties of all investigated extracts by contact or airborne compounds against R. santonensis. However, high termite mortality was only achieved by forced direct or forced indirect exposure to the plant material, Feeding deterrence or digestive toxicity could not be judged in these experiments. One of the extracts was efficiently used for soil treatments to protect a food substrate against R. santonenis infestation. Extract-treated barriers in the experiments did not affect mortality compared with control trials but prevented termites from penetrating treated soil.     

Polyethylene barrier impregnated with lambda-cyhalothrin for exclusion of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from structures

Polyethylene film impregnated with lambda-cyhalothrin was placed over a sand plot and covered with a concrete slab to allow insecticide movement into the sand for a period of 5.5 yr. Discs of polyethylene film and sand beneath them were sampled annually for 5 yr and at 5.5 yr for bioassay with the Formosan and eastern subterranean termite. Results demonstrated that sufficient quantities of lambda-cyhalothrin were released from the impregnated polyethylene film into adjacent sand to prevent termite penetration. The impregnated film has less environmental impact than conventional liquid termiticides because the insecticide is held in the polymer. Other advantages include its dual function as a construction moisture barrier and ease in verifying its proper installation.     

Attraction of subterranean termites (Isoptera) to carbon dioxide

Subterranean termites, Reticulitermes spp., were attracted to carbon dioxide (CO2) in laboratory and field tests. In behavioral bioassays, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes tibialis Banks, and Reticulitermes virginicus Banks were attracted to CO2 concentrations between 5 and 50 mmol/mol. In further bioassays, R. tibialis and R. virginicus were attracted to the headspace from polyisocyanurate construction foam that contained 10-12 mmol/mol CO2. In soil bioassays in the laboratory, more termites foraged in chambers containing CO2-generating formulations than in unbaited control chambers. In field tests, stations containing CO2-generating baits attracted R. tibialis away from wooden fence posts at rangeland sites in Colorado. For all of the CO2 formulations tested, termites foraged in significantly more bait stations at treatment fenceposts than in bait stations at the control fenceposts. By the end of the 8-wk study, the number of bait stations located by termites at treatment fenceposts ranged from 40 to 90%. At control fenceposts, termites foraged in only a single station and the one positive station was not located by termites until week 5 of the study. At treatment fenceposts, termites foraged equally in active stations (containing a CO2-generating bait) and passive stations (with no CO2-generating bait), indicating that bait stations may benefit passively from a proximal CO2 source in the soil. CO2 used as an attractant in current baiting systems could improve their effectiveness by allowing earlier exposure of termites to an insecticide.