Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/05
Outputs
(1) Field studies in Hawaii and Japan with borate and other wood treatments demonstrated at least 8 years of efficacy of borate treatments against the Formosan subterranean termite. Laboratory studies of termite tunneling behavior revealed that termites learn to avoid the location of borate-treated wood. (2) Field tests across the State of Hawaii demonstrated greater than 9 years longevity for the soil termiticide fipronil. (3) Tests with various agricultural fibers and with naturally-durable woods demonstrated that fibers will require preservative treatment, but that the tropical woods bangkirai and merbau are quite termite resistant. (4) Injections of the low-toxicity insecticides sodium borate and spinosad proved effective in controlling drywood termites, but multiple injections were needed to reach all termite galleries. (5) A new method of identifying drywood termite species inside wood based on the chemical signature in their fecal pellets was developed. (6) In
studies using microbes to control termites, nematodes (round worms) were removed rapidly from infected termites by their nestmates; but a novel method of using genetically modified gut bacteria for termite control was developed. (6) A curriculum and public education project in Hawaii public schools increased the termite prevention knowledge and awareness of residents in 22 communities. U.S. Patent No. 6,926,889, dated August 9, 2005.
Impacts
We have demonstrated the long-term efficacy (minimum 9 years) of low-toxicity borate wood treatments to deter termite attack, and of the novel soil insecticide fipronil. Every year of efficacy equates to an annual $27 million savings in termite control for the residents of Hawaii. As a result of this research, borate wood treatments are the most widely used treatments in Hawaii. We have also identified non-toxic naturally durable wood species, which are currently being used to construct model homes in Hawaii. Future efforts to survey termites in the Pacific will be enhanced by our new method of chemically identifying termite fecal pellets; and safer and more effective termite control baits are under development using our novel bacterial approach to control. Our educational project in 22 communities has increased public awareness of termite control needs and options, and interest in this program is growing rapidly throughout the state.
Publications
- Grace, J.K. and Campora, C.E. 2005. Food location and discrimination by subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Pp. 437-441 in Lee, C.-Y. and W.H. Robinson [eds.], Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Urban Pests, Executive Committee of the International Conference on Urban Pests, Singapore.
- Grace, J.K. 2004. Wood treatments and termite-resistant building materials. Proceedings of the Fifth Joint Meeting of the Western Forest Insect Work Conference and Western International Forest Disease Work Conference, San Diego, CA. 26-30 April 2004. Pp. 76-77.
- Mankowski, M.E., Kaya, H.K., Grace, J.K. and Sipes, B. 2005. Differential susceptibility of subterranean termite castes to entomopathogenic nematodes. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 15:367-377.
- Haverty, M.I., Woodrow, R.J., Nelson, L.J. and Grace, J.K. 2005. Identification of termite species by the hydrocarbons in their feces. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 31:2119-2151.
- Husseneder, C. and Grace, J.K. 2005. Genetically engineered termite gut bacteria (Enterobacter cloacae) deliver and spread foreign genes in termite colonies. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 68:360-367.
- Campora, C.E. and Grace, J.K. 2004. Effect of average worker size on tunneling behavior of Formosan subterranean termites colonies. Journal of Insect Behavior. 17:777-791.
- Grace, J.K. and Tome, C.H.M. 2005. Resistance of the Indonesian woods bangkirai (Shorea laevis) and merbau (Intsia palembanica) to Formosan subterranean termite attack. Sociobiology. 45(2):503-509.
- Grace, J.K. 2005. Termite response to agricultural fiber composites: hemp. International Research Group on Wood Protection. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document No. IRG/WP 05-10548. 7 pp.
- Grace, J.K. 2005. Termite response to agricultural fiber composites: bagasse. International Research Group on Wood Protection. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document No. IRG/WP 05-10549. 7 pp.
- Husseneder, C., Grace, J.K. and Oishi, D.E. 2005. Use of genetically engineered Escherichia coli to monitor ingestion, loss, and transfer of bacteria in termites. Current Microbiology. 50:119-123.
- Woodrow, R.J. and Grace, J.K. 2005. Efficacy of selected localized injectable chemical treatments against Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in naturally infested lumber. Pp. 337-341 in Lee, C.-Y. and W.H. Robinson [eds.], Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Urban Pests, Executive Committee of the International Conference on Urban Pests, Singapore.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
(1) Field studies in Hawaii and Japan with borate and other wood treatments demonstrated at least 7 years of efficacy of borate treatments against the Formosan subterranean termite. Laboratory studies of termite tunneling behavior revealed that termites learn to avoid the location of borate-treated wood. (2) Field tests across the State of Hawaii demonstrated greater than 7 years longevity for the soil termiticide fipronil. (3) A curriculum project in Hawaii public schools increased the termite prevention knowledge and awareness of residents in 22 communities. Graduate students = 1.
Impacts
(1) Borate wood treatments pose fewer health and environmental risks than more toxic biocides. Our seven year field study in Hawaii and Japan demonstrates the long-term efficacy of these treatments, and will stimulate increased use to deter termite attack. (2) Our documentation of extended longevity (7 years to date) of the soil insecticide fipronil equates to a ca. $27 million annual savings to the residents of Hawaii for every additional year that a termite treatment does not need to be performed. (3) Our termite curriculum project has reached 56 classrooms in 22 Oahu public schools. This represents direct contact with 1,700 Hawaii households, and a larger impact on the entire school community. These current residents, and the future homeowners, will exercise safer and more effective termite prevention and control methods as a result of the information transmitted to them.
Publications
- Shelton, T.G. and Grace, J.K. 2003. Termite physiology in relation to wood degradation and termite control. In: Wood Deterioration and Preservation: Advances in Our Changing World (B. Goodell, D.D. Nicholas, and T.P. Schultz, eds.). American Chemical Society Symposium Series. 845:242-252.
- Tsunoda, K., Grace, J.K., Byrne, T. and Morris, P.I. 2002. Effectiveness of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Tim-Bor) in controlling subterranean termite attack and decay of house sill plates. Mokuzai Gakkaishi. 48(2):107-114 (in Japanese).
- Grace, J.K., Aihara-Sasaki, M. and Yates, J.R. 2004. Differences in tunneling behavior of Coptotermes vastator and Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology. 43(2):153-158.
- Morris. P.I., Grace, J.K., Tsunoda, K. and Byrne, A. 2003. Performance of borate-treated wood against Reticulitermes flavipes in above-ground protected conditions. International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document No. IRG/WP/30309. 9 pp.
- Mankowski, M. and Grace, J.K. 2004. Response of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) to cellulose insulation treated with boric acid in choice and no-choice tests. International Research Group on Wood Preservation. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document No. IRG/WP 04-10532. 9 pp.
- Grace, J.K., Byrne, A., Morris, P.I. and Tsunoda, K. 2004. Six-year report on the performance of borate-treated lumber in an above-ground termite field test in Hawaii. International Research Group on Wood Preservation. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document No. IRG/WP 04-30343. 8 pp.
- Tsunoda, K., Byrne, A., Morris, P.I. and Grace, J.K. 2004. Performance of borate-treated lumber in a protected, above-ground field test in Japan. International Research Group on Wood Preservation. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document No. IRG/WP 04-30344. 8 pp.
- Wong, A.H.H. and Grace, J.K. 2004. Laboratory evaluation of the Formosan subterranean termite resistance of borate-treated rubberwood chipboard. International Research Group on Wood Preservation. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document No. IRG/WP 04-30359. 6 pp.
- Husseneder, C. and Grace, J.K. 2004. Termite gut bacteria as "Trojan horses" - a new approach to termite control. Clean Asia. 11(5):20.
- Wong, A.H.H. and Grace, J.K. 2004. Resistance of borate-treated rubberwood chipboard to the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology. 44:519-525.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
(1) Field tests on 4 islands demonstrated that the soil insecticide fipronil remains extremely effective against Formosan subterranean termites (C. formosanus) up to 6 years after application, even under high moisture conditions. Field tests were also initiated with a new neonicotinoid soil insecticide, thiamethoxam. (2) Field tests also demonstrated the efficacy of a new termite bait toxicant (noviflumuron) just introduced to the pest control market. In lab studies, the chitin synthesis inhibitor lufenuron was found to be an effective bait toxicant, and field studies have been initiated. (3) We established that both fipronil and imidacloprid are transfered from termite workers exposed to high concentrations of either compound (100 ppm in sand) to unexposed workers. However, the transfer period is very brief. (4) A field study of termite tunneling in response to borate-treated wood added additional evidence that termite avoidance of preservative-treated wood is a
learned group response, and is a response to the location of the treated wood, rather than to the individual pieces of wood themselves. (5) A comparison of tunneling behavior of the Formosan subterranean termite and the newly-introduced Coptotermes vastator demonstrated significant differences in the shape and pattern of tunneling of these two species. Understanding these differences could lead to better and more specific methods of applying baits for termite control. (6) Lab studies demonstrated that a new borate treatment of bamboo is effective in preventing termite attack, and that there are differences in susceptibility between different bamboo species. (7) Lab studies established that borate-treated cellulose insulation was not fed upon and could aid in termite management. Graduate students = 2.
Impacts
(1) Understanding termite behavior is the key to improving application of control methods in the field. Our observation of different tunneling patterns associated with the two important pests Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes vastator could lead to developing more specific and more effective bait stations and bait placement methods. This will mean faster control, and less damage to buildings under attack. Since the total cost of termite damages annually in Hawaii has been estimated at approximately $100 million, even a 10% increase in speed of control could equate to a $10 million annual savings for residents of the State. (2) Our demonstration to the pest control industry of 6 years of efficacy for the soil insecticide fipronil is equivalent to approximately $27 million savings annually to the State for every year that a termite treatment does not have to be performed. (3) Establishing an effective treatment for bamboo is expected to result in new uses for this
agricultural product as a building material in Hawaii.
Publications
- Grace, J.K. and Su, N.-Y. 2002. Evidence supporting the use of termite baiting systems for long-term structural protection. Termite Control. 79:34-38 (in Chinese).
- Husseneder, C., Grace, J.K., Messenger, M.T., Vargo, E.L. and Su, N.-Y. 2003. Describing the spatial and social organization of Formosan subterranean termite colonies in Armstrong Park, New Orleans. Sociobiology. 41:61-65.
- Yates, J.R. III, Grace, J.K. and Reinhardt, J.N. 2003. Installation guidelines for the Basaltic Termite Barrier: A particle barrier to Formosan subterranean termites (summary). Sociobiology. 41:113-114.
- Grace, J.K. 2003. Approaches to biological control of termites. Sociobiology. 41:115-121.
- Grace, J.K. 2003. Termite resistant wood products. Sociobiology. 123-129.
- Uchima, S.Y. and Grace, J.K. 2003. Characteristics of Coptotermes vastator (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) colonies on Oahu, Hawaii. Sociobiology. 41:281-287.
- Uchima, S.Y. and Grace, J.K. 2003. Comparative feeding rates of Coptotermes vastator and Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology. 41:289-294.
- Shelton, T.G. and Grace, J.K. 2003. Comparative cuticular permeability of two species of Coptotermes Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology. 134:205-211.
- Shelton, T.G. and Grace, J.K. 2003. Effects of exposure duration on transfer of nonrepellent termiticides among workers of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 96:456-460.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
(1) Using mark-release-recapture methods, two Coptotermes vastator colonies on Oahu were estimated to contain 0.2 million and 0.7 million individuals, with respective foraging areas of 10.5 sq meters and 287 sq meters. Feeding rates of C. vastator were found to be ca. 25% less than the Formosan subterranean termite (C. formosanus). (2) In field studies on 4 islands, the soil insecticide fipronil proved to be highly toxic to termites 5 years after application. In lab tests, two novel pre-commercial termite bait formulations were found to be acceptable to termites, and to induce mortality. Field tests were initiated with another termite bait product (a chitin synthesis inhibitor) scheduled for commercial release in late 2003. (3) A series of novel wood-plastic composite board products were evaluated in the lab, and the particular formulations necessary for termite resistance were determined. In studies of termite tunneling, we also determined that termite avoidance of
wood treated with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is a colony phenomonum, and not associated with individual termites dying in the vicinity of the treated wood. Graduate students = 2. No patent activity.
Impacts
Our demonstration of the efficacy and unusual longevity of the soil insecticide fipronil resulted in its adoption by the pest control industry in Hawaii. Since subterranean termite control is a $27 million annual industry in Hawaii, our demonstration that this insecticide can be expected to last 5 years, rather than the industry standard of 3 years, represents a minimum $56 million savings to Hawaii consumers who choose to use soil insecticide treatment rather than termite baits, and a decrease in pesticide applications and load on the environment. Our identification of new termite baits and termite-resistant wood composite formulations can be expected to further reduce the costs of termite damage when these are commercially available.
Publications
- Campora, C.E. and Grace, J.K. 2001. Tunnel orientation and search pattern sequence of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 94:1193-1199.
- Grace, J.K. 2000. Recent trends in termiticides in the USA. Baiyikeji (Science and Technology of Termites). 17(1):29-33 (in Chinese).
- Grace, J.K., Woodrow, R.J. and Yates, J.R. 2002. Distribution and management of termites in Hawaii. Sociobiology. 40:87-93.
- Husseneder, C., Vargo, E.L. and Grace, J.K. 2002. Multilocus DNA fingerprinting and microsatellite genotyping: complementary molecular approaches to investigating colony and population genetic structure in subterranean termites. Sociobiology. 40:217-226.
- Shelton, T.G and Grace, J.K. 2001. Value of observational data in bioassays for evaluating bait efficacy against subterranean termites. Sociobiology. 38:723-737.
- Yates, J.R. III, Grace, J.K. and Reinhardt, J.N. 2002. Creating installation guidelines for a particle barrier for Formosan subterranean termites. Sociobiology. 40:207-210.
- Campora, C.E. and Grace, J.K. 2001 (November). How subterranean termites find food. Clean Asia. 8(11):21.
- Grace, J.K. 2002. Hawaiian experience with treated building components. Enhancing the Durability of Lumber & Engineered Wood Products. Forest Products Society, Madison, Wisconsin. Pp. 305-309.
- Husseneder, C., Grace, J.K., Messenger, M.T., Vargo, E.L. and Su, N.-Y. 2001. Describing the spatial and social organization of Formosan subterranean termite colonies in Armstrong Park, New Orleans. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Coptotermes formosanus. Edited and distributed on CD-ROM by USDA-ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans.
- Husseneder, C., Grace, J.K. and Vargo, E.L. 2001 (November). What can molecular biology tell us about termites? Clean Asia. 8(11):20.
- Tsunoda, K., Adachi, A., Byrne, T., Morris, P.I. and Grace, J.K. 2002. Performance of borate-treated sill plates (dodai) in a protected, above-ground field test in Japan. International Research Group on Wood Preservation. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document No. IRG/WP 02-30278. 6 pp.
- Grace, J.K. 2002. Termite management today and tomorrow. Proceedings of the XIV International Congress of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects, 27 July - 3 August 2002, Sapporo, Japan. P. 99. (Abstract)
- Husseneder, C., Vargo, E.L., Grace, J.K. and De Heer, C. 2002. Genetic structure and social organization of native and introduced populations of the Formosan subterranean termite. Proceedings of the XIV International Congress of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects, 27 July - 3 August 2002, Sapporo, Japan. P. 49. (Abstract)
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