Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research findings have been disseminated to the scientific community at professional meetings and to the pest managment community by training sessions and presentations at regulatory meetings. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The use of molecular techniques to identify the source of an exotic pest insect introduction will be used in the future to help prevent shipments of invasive species. The use of film to delineate the behavioral repetiore of subterranean termite workers has allowed for explanation of published laboratory experiments on transfer of toxins within termite populations to be explained in concrete terms instead of the equivocal explanations used in the past. In addition this work will be used to design meaningful laboratory bioassays aimed at development of least-toxic control methods.
Publications
- Jenkins, T.M., S.C. Jones, C.-Y. Lee, B.T. Forschler, Z. Chen, G. Lopez-Martinez, N.T. Gallagher, G. Brown, M. Neal, B. Thistleton, S. Kleinschmidt. 2007. Phylogeography illuminates maternal origins of exotic Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 42: 612-621.
- Whitman, J. and B.T. Forschler. 2007. Observational notes on short-lived and infrequent behaviors displayed by Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhintoermitidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Research has indicated that the subterranean termite species Reticulitermes flavipes when maintained in culture are not healthy when their percent water is less than seventy percent. Additional research has indicated the utility of using molecular markers for identifying invasive termites which will assist in developing effective action plans for managing or eliminating point-source introductions.
Impacts
This work will impact the way that laboratory bioassays are conducted when using subterranean termites. Development of efficacious eradication efforts aimed at exotic termite species are aided by the use of a molecular data base.
Publications
- Lee, C.Y., B.T. Forschler and TM. Jenkins. 2005. Taxonomic questions on Malaysian termites (Isoptera: Termitidae) answered with morphology and DNA technology. Pp. 205-211. In: Proc. 5nd Inter. Conf. Insect Pests in the Urban Environment, K.B. Wildey (ed.)
- Forschler, B.T. 2005. The role of independent research in the regulatory process: A lesson involving the urban pest management community in the United States. Pp. 447-449. In: Proc. 5nd Inter. Conf. Insect Pests in the Urban Environment, K.B. Wildey (ed.)
- Arquette, T.J., D.E. Champagne, M.R. Brown, B.T. Forschler. 2005. Evaluation of novel and traditional measures for vigor of laboratory-cultured termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Journal of Insect Physiology. 52: 51-66.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Progress Report: Research on the biology of subterranean termites indicates that colonies can practice polyandry - contain multiple kings. This information is important in understanding the molecular markers used in identifying the reproductive status of field populations. The presence of polyandry challenges the models currently used in that work and must in incorporated to fully understand their biology. The termite laboratory colony census work also demonstrated that neoteny develops in the presence of the primary reproductives and that subterranean termites can adjust their population numbers in response to resource availability. These two aspects of termite biology have enormous implications toward understanding how these innocuous forest inhabitants can become economic pests in urban/suburban habitats. Studies on protozoan communities in the hindgut of subterranean termite species found in eastern North America has found two previously unreported genera in
Reticulitermes virginicus and four new genera in R. hageni. This work has demonstrated and described a methodology that could be used to extend our understanding of this important symbiosis. Our study has increased the estimates of protist numbers occupying this niche by one third over what was previously reported indicating the importance of standardizing the techniques used in examining termite protist communities.
Impacts
Models describing the reproductive strategies of subterranean termite colonies must be reevaluated in light of the work that demonstrates the prevalence of polandry and neoteny in the presence of primary reproductives demonstrated in recent studies. This work in combination with a verification of termite population adjustments in response to resource availability will change the way we view the pest potential of these animals in response to placing structures in their native habitat - as urban expansion continues.
Publications
- Lewis, J.L. and B.T. Forschler. 2004. Nitrogen-sparged media extends life span of symbiotic protests found in subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae),providing more time for microscopic examination. Environ. Entomol. 33: 1145-1150.
- Lewis, J.L. and B.T. Forschler. 2004. Protist communities from four castes and three species of Reticulitermes (Isoptera:Rinotermitidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 97: 1242-1251.
- Grube. S. and B.T. Forschler. 2004. Census of monogyne and polygyne laboratory colonies illuminates the dynamics of population growth in Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar (Isoptera; Rhinotermitidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 97: 466-475.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Research on the genetics of subterranean termites has indicated that termite colonies in Georgia can contain multiple queens. This information is important in understanding the efficacy of termite bait control strategies premised on a simple termite colony organization involving one queen per colony. Eliminating insect colonies with one queen is often simpler than colonies with multiple queens. A simple measure of termite colony risk-toward-infestation could be developed from this work and is needed to fully implement IPM termite control strategies. We have completed data sets on numerous termite populations including genetic, chemotaxonomic, morphometric, behavioral, and ecological data that are being correlated to define new species descriptions that will lead to a better understanding of these important economic insect pests. Tests with new non-repellent termiticide chemistries under laboratory and field conditions indicate these materials can reduce the number of
termites that contact treated soil. These chemistries will provide an additional tool in the arsenal of termite control tactics aimed at population reduction rather than, or in addition to, exclusion of termites from structures.
Impacts
Specific details involved in the eradication of Formosan subterranean termite infestations in Georgia will provide the blueprint for similar programs in other states aimed at reducing the spread and eliminating the threat of this potentially dangerous structural pest. The molecular tools being developed to identify subterranean termite social interactions will be the cornerstone of cost-effective, efficacious IPM-based structural protection action plans.
Publications
- Blaske, Verena-Ulrike, H. Hertel and B.T. Forschler. 2003. Repellent effects of isoborneol on subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in soils of different composition. J. Econ. Entomol. 96: 1267-1274.
- Forschler, B.T. 2003. Introduction to the symposium on IPM in urban entomology. Proceedings of the IPM in Urban Entomology Symposium from the 2001 Annual Meeting of the ESA. J. Entomol. Sci. 38: 149-150.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Research on the genetics of subterranean termites has indicated that termite colonies in Georgia can contain multiple queens. This information is important in understanding the efficacy of termite bait control strategies premised on a simple termite colony organization involving one queen per colony. Eliminating insect colonies with one queen is often simpler than colonies with multiple queens. A simple measure of termite colony risk-toward-infestation could be developed from this work and is needed to fully implement IPM termite control strategies. We have completed data sets on numerous termite populations including genetic, chemotaxonomic, morphometric, behavioral, and ecological data that are being correlated to define new species descriptions that will lead to a better understanding of these important economic insect pests. Tests with new non-repellent termiticide chemistries under laboratory and field conditions indicate these materials can reduce the number of
termites that contact treated soil. These chemistries will provide an additional tool in the arsenal of termite control tactics aimed at population reduction rather than, or in addition to, exclusion of termites from structures.
Impacts
This work will provide information to add value to the termite control tactics used across the United States.
Publications
- Jenkins, T.M., R.E. Dean, and B.T. Forschler. 2002. DNA technology, interstate commerce, and the likely origin of Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) infestations in Atlanta, Georgia. J. Econ. Entomol. 95: 381-389.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Research has indicated that the subterranean termite species Reticulitermes santonensis from Europe is actually R. flavipes from the United States that was introduced into France over 150 years ago. This information indicates that not only has the exotic Formosan subterranean termite been moved around the globe by human facilitated transport of infested materials but our native Reticulitermes have also been spread outside of their endemic range. The extent and impact of this movement has yet to be determined. Other research indicates that subterranean termite colonies are composed of populations that interact on an undetermined schedule that can only be elucidated using a multi-disciplinary research approach. Within a given area subterranean termites of the same species sometime share feeding sites and at other times do not interact making it problematic to delineate colony associations.
Impacts
This work will impact the claims made by the termite control industry in regard to the efficacy of termite population management tools like termite baits. Claims of colony impacts cannot be verified by that industry and the claims should be tempered toward subterranean termite population reductions rather than structural protection.
Publications
- Forschler, B.T., J. Harron, and T.M. Jenkins. 2001. Case histories involving the Formosan subterranean termite in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Sociobiology 37: 311-322.
- Nelson, L.J., L.G. Cool, B.T. Forschler, and M.I. Haverty. 2001. Correspondence of soldier defense secretion mixtures with cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes for chemotaxonomy of the termite genus Reticulitermes in North America. Journal of Chemical Ecology 27:1449-1479.
- Scheffrahn, R.H., N-Y. Su, J.A. Chase, and B.T. Forschler. 2001. New termite(Isoptera: Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae) records from Georgia. Journal of Entomological Science 36: 109-113.
- Jenkins, T.M., R.E. Dean, R. Verkerk, and B.T. Forschler. 2001. Phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial and one nuclear intron region illuminate European subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) taxonomy and gene flow. Molecuclar Phylogenetics and Evolution. 20:286-293.
- Forschler, B.T. and T.M. Jenkins. 2001. Subterranean termites in the urban landscape: Understanding their social structure is the key to successfully implementing population management using baiting technology. Urban Ecosystems 4: 231-252.
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