Source: OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR BED BUGS, TERMITES, AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD AND STRUCTURAL ARTHROPODS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0211891
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2012
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
1680 MADISON AVENUE
WOOSTER,OH 44691
Performing Department
Entomology
Non Technical Summary
A multitude of insects and other arthropods are closely associated with residences and other structures where they are pests. Bed bugs have become increasingly commonplace worldwide, and they now are one of the major pests in households throughout the U.S. These bugs live indoors where they feed exclusively on blood from humans and other warm-blooded animals, with their bites often causing pain, itching, discomfort, or even severe allergic reactions. Termites are the most economically important wood-destroying pests in the U.S. Contemporary research is needed on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to combat household and structural insect pests. IPM involves multiple tactics, such as preventive measures, exclusion, sanitation, and chemicals applied to targeted sites. Because bed bugs and subterranean termites are particularly difficult to control without some type of residual insecticide treatment, investigations of insecticide efficacy are a research emphasis. Biological and ecological mechanisms that enable household and structural insects to exploit their environment also are investigated, with the ultimate goal of developing new and improved detection and control products. Laboratory and field-based experiments are intended to identify products that are effective against important urban arthropod pests. This information will help inform homeowners, regulators, and the pest management industry so that effective products can be used as part of an IPM strategy against important household and structural arthropod pests.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
7213110113040%
7223110113060%
Knowledge Area
722 - Zoonotic Diseases and Parasites Affecting Humans; 721 - Insects and Other Pests Affecting Humans;

Subject Of Investigation
3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
Overall Goal: To develop new and improved management tactics for bed bugs, termites, and other urban arthropod pests. Specific Objectives: 1. Evaluate new and conventional insecticides for control of bed bugs, termites, and other urban pests. 2. Investigate behavioral, biological, and ecological characteristics of bed bugs, termites, and other urban pests. 3. Investigate adverse health effects attributable to bed bugs. 4. Evaluate bed bug detection methodology. Expected Outputs: Identification of products that are efficacious against important urban arthropod pests. This information will help inform homeowners, regulators, and the pest management industry so that efficacious products can be used as part of an IPM strategy against important household and structural arthropod pests. Activities will include conducting and analyzing experiments, assessing efficacy of insecticides and detection devices, teaching, and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students. Events will include demonstration sites, workshops, and trainings. Products will include data; collaborations fostered by the project; physical collections; methods and techniques; information, skills, and technology for individuals, communities, and programs; and students graduated in agricultural sciences (entomology).
Project Methods
1. Evaluate new and conventional insecticides for control of bed bugs, termites, and other urban pests. Laboratory bioassays are an efficient means to assess the toxicity of insecticides against bed bugs and many other urban pests. Testing will include direct spraying of bugs as well as assessments of residual insecticide activity when bugs are exposed to the dry residues. Bioassays also will be developed to evaluate repellency of insecticides. Laboratory bioassays can provide a good starting point for identifying potential termite toxicants, but more extensive testing typically is required when dealing with colonial insects such as termites. Because of the high natural variability among termite colonies, numerous colonies must be included in experiments, and LD50 bioassays are useful for determining the relative toxicity of insecticides to worker termites from different colonies. Laboratory-reared whole colonies of R. flavipes allow for small-scale experiments prior to field test validation of termite baits and soil termiticides. Studies of soil termiticides and termite baits will be conducted using termite-infested structures. 2. Investigate behavioral, biological, and ecological characteristics of bed bugs, termites, and other urban pests. Ethovision XT behavior research software will be utilized for behavioral studies. Insects will be observed using a Sony HDR Recorder, with the associated video then imported for analysis using the software. For example, choice and no-choice bioassays will be performed for individual bed bugs exposed to residual insecticides. Investigations will center on intrinsic and extrinsic factors involved in termite caste development, social behavior, foraging, and colony growth. Microsatellite markers for R. flavipes will be used in studies of termite foraging behavior. Parentage analysis will be used to assess the role of different types of reproductives in colony growth. Investigations into exotic pest termites will be conducted. Population growth of R. flavipes incipient colonies will be studied through census at various time intervals following colony establishment. Assessments will include caste composition and biomass. 3. Investigate adverse health effects attributable to bed bugs. As the first step in investigating bed bugs possible mechanical transmission of pathogens through infected feces, bed bug fecal deposition rates will be assessed as bed bugs obtain a blood meal on an artificial feeding system, Microbiological analyses will be conducted on swab samples of bed bug feces obtained from field populations. Depending on funding, research will be conducted on bed bugs and asthma. 4. Evaluate bed bug detection methodology. Research will be conducted on the Verifi Bed Bug Detector and additional types of detectors. Verifi detectors will be placed in structures with known recurring infestations and evaluated bi-weekly during a 90-d period. To assess its various active components, the time to capture bed bugs and the number captured will be examined in situations where the Verifi detectors are used normally, without lures, without CO2, and without either.

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs, termites and other wood-destroying insects was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners; community groups; social service agencies such as Children's Services; the pest management industry at the local, state, and national level; home inspectors; the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the U.S. EPA. Efficacy studies on termite control products were done in conjunction with several industry manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and Ohio pest management companies. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Numerous students and staff members in the OSU Department of Entomology participated in the project and furthered their professional development as entomologists. Kara Baker, a 75%-time Research Assistant 1 (July 2013 to May 2017), and Alex Tyrpak (a Student Assistant starting in March 2014 to August 2017 and a MS student from August 2017 to date), participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate products to control termites and bed bugs. Tyler Eaton, a Research Associate (January 2014 to date), conducted research on termite molecular biology; he has learned various techniques in isolating DNA and RNA as well as bioinformatics. He developed skills in scientific writing and manuscript submission and editing. An entomology undergraduate, Zach Griebenow (2015 to July 2017), became acquainted with the termite literature and learned morphometric techniques for termites; he earned a B.S. with a research distinction in Spring 2017. Sarah Casey, a Research Associate (July 2017 to date), participated in ongoing research on protein marking in bed bugs, as well as learned techniques for rearing and control of bed bugs and termites. A Ph.D. candidate, Tae-Young Lee (Aug 2017 to date) joined the laboratory to conduct research on the aggregation and decision-making behavior of subterranean termites. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?FromOctober 2016 throughSeptember 2017, the PI presented information on household and structural insect pests at a variety of venues including pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops/seminars for health care providers, social service agencies, school officials, and homeowners. Bed bugs, which are a resurgent pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus ofoutreach efforts. Most training efforts were in Ohio. Invited outreach presentations also were provided in New York, New York; Maricopa, Arizona; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Branchburg, New Jersey. The PI conducted 4.5 h training sessions on structural insects (termites, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles) at Ohio Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Workshops in October 2016 and January, April, and September 2017 and reached a combined 438 individuals requiring certification or re-certification training for Ohio pesticide license category 12. In January and February 2017, sessions on termites and bed bugs were taught at The Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences in Sandusky, Akron, Dayton, and Columbus, reaching~2,200 individuals. In September 2017, a talk on bed bugs was presented at the Ohio Pest Management Association Recertification Training School in Reynoldsburg, Ohio,reaching 72 adults requiring training in Ohio pesticide license categories 10A and 10B.A total of seven 3-hr workshops on bed bug prevention and control were conducted for Franklin County Children Services personnel (October, November, and December 2016 and January, March, May, and August 2017). During the final 1 year of the project, a grandtotal of approximately 5,000 individuals were reached in Extension presentations. Additionally, the PI served as an invited member on a regional bed bug task force steering committee (Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area]). The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among local governments; city and county health departments; social service agencies; pest management industry; landlord and tenants' rights groups; fire departments; Ohio Department of Commerce; Ohio Department of Health; ODA; and OSU. The PI presented two talks at the Tenth Annual COBBTF Summit in September 2017, reaching a total audience of ~100 individuals. Numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles were provided for the COBBTF web site, centralohiobedbugs.org, which has been widely accessed by the public. The PI also provided science-based information on bed bugs via OSU's website, u.osu.edu/bedbugs. During the final year of the project, the PIconducted 6 media interviews on bed bugs, termites, and other urban pests, reaching a wide general audience. The PI also answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is an economically significant pest species that is widely distributed in the eastern and central United States. Ongoing field research in termite-infested structures was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of (1) a termite bait, Trelona Double Bait (active ingredient: novaluron) and (2) a soil termiticide, Termidor H•P II High Precision Termiticide (active ingredient: fipronil) in conjunction with a new application unit for precise soil injection. In 2017, we published a manuscript in Insects, "Efficacy of chlorantraniliprole in controlling structural infestations of the eastern subterranean termite in the USA" (doi: 10.3390/insects8030092); a synopsis of this researchstudy also waspublished in the Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Urban Pests and presented at the conference in Birmingham, United Kingdom. We found that a nonrepellent soil termiticide, Altriset (active ingredient: chlorantraniliprole), was effective in controlling structural infestations of R. flavipes in Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio as there was no further evidence of termite activity in and on the majority of structures from approximately 1 mo to 2 yr post-treatment when the study concluded. Additionally, the treatment appeared to either severely reduce the infesting colony's footprint at monitors in the landscape or eliminate colony members from these monitors. Other termite taxa, such as Heterotermes and Coptotermes, are invasive pests of significant economic potential which have become established on many islands in theCaribbean. We investigated Puerto Rican Heterotermes specimens for phylogenetic and morphological characteristics to determine species identification and diversity. We also documented the invasion of Coptotermes formosanus into the Bahamas. In 2016, we published a manuscript in Journal of Insect Science, "Species diversity of Puerto Rican Heterotermes (Dictyoptera: Rhinotermitidae) revealed by phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes" (doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iew099), which represents the first records of H. cardini from Puerto Rico and Grand Bahama. We found that H. cardini and H. convexinotatus were widespread in the arid coastal regions of Puerto Rico, whereas H. tenuis was uncommon and may represent a relatively new introduction to Puerto Rico. During the past decade, bed bugs have re-emerged as a pest of humans in communities throughout the United States. Bed bugs are difficult and expensive to control, and they necessitate multiple integrated pest management strategies. The Ohio State University Entomology Department has been significantly involved in research on bed bug detection and control. We continued our investigations into protein marking bed bugs to gain further insight into their dispersal and behavior.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jones, S. C., E. L. Vargo, T. C. Keefer, P. Labadie, C. W. Scherer, N. T. Gallagher, and R. E. Gold. 2017. Efficacy of chlorantraniliprole in controlling structural infestations of the eastern subterranean termite in the USA. Insects 8(3) 92. doi:10.3390/insects8030092
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Keefer, T. C., S. C. Jones, E. L. Vargo, P. Labadie, R. E. Gold, C. W. Scherer, and N. T. Gallagher. 2017. A multi-state study to assess the efficacy of chlorantraniliprole in controlling Reticulitermes flavipes in infested structures, pp. 385-388. In: M. P. Davies, C. Pfeiffer, and W. H. Robinson [eds.], Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Urban Pests, Birmingham, UK, 9-12 July 2017.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Keefer, T. C., S. C. Jones, E. L. Vargo, P. Labadie, R. E. Gold, C. W. Scherer, and N. T. Gallagher. A multi-state study to assess the efficacy of chlorantraniliprole in controlling Reticulitermes flavipes in infested structures. Ninth International Conference on Urban Pests, Birmingham, UK, 9-12 July 2017.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Eaton, T. D., S. C. Jones, and T. M. Jenkins. 2016. Species diversity of Puerto Rican Heterotermes (Dictyoptera: Rhinotermitidae) revealed by phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes. Journal of Insect Science. 16(1): 111; 19. doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iew099
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jones, S. C. 2017. Management strategies to win the battle against bed bugs, pp. 125-135. In: Proceedings 2017 Recertification Conferences for Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicators. Ohio State University Extension, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jones, S. C. 2017. Termite biology and control, pp. 136-140. In: Proceedings 2017 Recertification Conferences for Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicators. Ohio State University Extension, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C. Bed bug prevention: A new look at integrating solutions for keeping bed bugs at bay. Global Bed Bug Summit, Indianapolis, IN, 30 November-2 December 2016. (Invited)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Jones, S. C. Bed bug biology/behavior and research updates. Tenth Annual Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force Summit, Columbus, OH, 15 September 2017.


Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs, termites and other wood-destroying insects was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners; community groups; social service agencies such as Children Services and Office on Aging; the pest management industry at the local, state, and national level; home inspectors; the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the U.S. EPA. Efficacy studies on termite control products were done in conjunction with several industry manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and Ohio pest management companies. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) was involved in research that involved experimental use permits. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Numerous students and staff members in the OSU Department of Entomology participated in the project and furthered their professional development as entomologists: Christina Bogart (a Student Assistant starting in May 2014 and transitioning to Research Assistant 1 from September 2015 to April 2016), Kara Baker, a 75%-time Research Assistant 1 (July 2013 to date), and Alex Tyrpak (a Student Assistant starting in March 2014 to date). They participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate products to control termites, bed bugs, and/or brown marmorated stink bugs. A post-doctoral researcher in the Entomology Department, Frances Sivakoff (August 2013 to date), developed skills in statistical analyses and scientific writing and manuscript submission/editing by serving as senior author on a peer-review manuscript "Protein self-marking by ectoparasites: a case study using bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)," which was published in August 2016 in the Journal of Medical Entomology. Tyler Eaton, a Research Associate (January 2014 to date), conducted research on termite molecular biology; he has learned various techniques in isolating DNA and RNA as well as bioinformatics. He developed skills in scientific writing and manuscript submission and editing by serving as senior author on a peer-review manuscript "Species diversity of Puerto Rican Heterotermes (Dictyoptera: Rhinotermitidae) revealed by phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes," which was submitted to the Journal of Insect Science in July 2016 and that has since been accepted for publication. An entomology undergraduate, Zachary Griebenow, became acquainted with the termite literature and learned morphometric techniques for termites; he developed scientific writing skills in preparing a poster "Revision of diagnostic morphological traits in four Caribbean species of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)." He also developedoral communication skills as he presented his research poster at the OSU College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Research Forum (February 2016) and the OSU Denman competition (March 2016). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?From 1 October 2015 through 30 September 2016, I presented information on household and structural insect pests at a variety of venues such as pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops and seminars for health care providers, social service agencies, school officials, and homeowners. Bed bugs, which are a resurgent pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus of many of my outreach efforts. In these talks, I reached a total audience of approximately 5,000 individuals. Most of my training efforts were in Ohio, but I also conducted invited outreach presentations in Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee; Fort Lee, New Jersey; and Brooklyn, New York. I conducted 4.5 h training sessions on structural insects (termites, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles) at Ohio Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Workshops in November 2015 and March 2016 and reached 264 individuals requiring certification or re-certification training for Ohio pesticide license category 12. In January, February, and March of 2016, I taught sessions on termites and bed bugs at The Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences in Sandusky, Akron, Dayton, and Columbus, reaching out to ~2,000 individuals. In March 2016, I additionally presented talks on termites and bed bugs at Ohio Pest Management Association Recertification Training Schools in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus, and reached 72 adults requiring training in Ohio pesticide license categories 10A and 10B. In June 2016, I co-instructed two all-day workshops in Akron on integrated pest management in multifamily housing and reached a total of 129 adults--this training was sponsored by the Northeast IPM Center. I conducted a total of four 3-hr workshops regarding bed bugs for Franklin County Children Services personnel (May, June, July, and August 2016). I served as an invited member on two regional bed bug task force steering committee (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [JBBTF; Cincinnati metropolitan area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area]). The JBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among the Cincinnati Health Department, the Hamilton County Board of Health, and Ohio State University (OSU) Extension Entomology. The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among local governments; city and county health departments; social service agencies; pest management industry; landlord and tenants' rights groups; fire departments; Ohio Department of Commerce; Ohio Department of Health; ODA; and OSU. I presented talks at the Eighth and Ninth Annual COBBTF Summits in October 2015 and September 2016, respectively, reaching a total audience of ~230 individuals. I also presented two talks at the Cuyahoga County Bed Bug Task Force Summit (Cleveland metropolitan area) in November 2015 reaching ~500 individuals. I provided numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles for the COBBTF web site, centralohiobedbugs.org, which has been widely accessed by the public. I also provided science-based information on bed bugs via OSU's website, u.osu.edu/bedbugs. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. I additionally provided numerous interviews for television and on-line or print news articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research will be conducted to evaluate new and conventional insecticides for control of bed bugs and termites. Investigations will be conducted of behavioral, biological, and ecological characteristics of bed bugs and termites. Research will continue to assess the genetic diversity of Caribbean Heterotermes termites using phylogenetic analyses of genetic loci as well as taxonomic characteristics. A manuscript will be finalized to document bed bug feeding and defecation behaviors on a live host and artificial feeding system. A demonstration project will be initiated in 2017 to assess a financially sustainable bed bug control program in low-income housing.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is an economically significant pest species that is widely distributed in the eastern and central United States. Field research in termite-infested structures was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of (1) a termite bait, Trelona Double Bait (active ingredient: novaluron), (2) a soil termiticide, Altriset (active ingredient: chlorantraniliprole), and (3) a soil termiticide, Termidor H•P II High Precision Termiticide (active ingredient: fipronil), in conjunction with a new application unit for precise soil injections. During the past decade, bed bugs have re-emerged as a pest of humans in communities throughout Ohio and the United States. Bed bugs are difficult and expensive to control, and they necessitate multiple integrated pest management strategies. The Ohio State University Entomology Department has been significantly involved in research on bed bug detection and control. In 2016, we published a manuscript in Journal of Medical Entomology 'Protein self-marking by ectoparasites: a case study using bed bugs' (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjw117) wherein we demonstrated the potential of a protein marking technique for bed bugs. In our lab studies, bed bugs marked themselves by feeding on either rabbit or chicken blood, and we then used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect host-specific blood serum proteins in the bugs. We determined that protein markers: were detectable in bed bugs before and after molting, remained detectible after multiple feedings on an alternate diet, persisted regardless of whether an individual was starved or fed on an alternate diet following original mark acquisition, and did not transfer between individuals. The duration of detectability depended on temperature. Our results suggested that protein self-marking was an effective technique for marking bed bugs and may hold promise for use in dispersal studies of ectoparasitic insects. The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (BMSB) is an invasive, plant-eating insect that was accidentally introduced into the U.S. from Asia. First discovered in 1996 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, it since has been found in at least 40 states in the U.S. The BMSB is a major agricultural pest in the U.S., but it also is a major invader of homes. During autumn, BMSBs enter homes and other buildings, often in large numbers, as they seek overwintering sites. Fortunately, they do not bite people and are essentially harmless to property. However, when abundant, they can be a nuisance pest that causes concern and they also produce a very unpleasant odor. Preliminary research indicates that a spray application of Arilon (indoxacarb) to the exterior of homes during autumn reduces entry of the BMSB.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sivakoff, F. S., S. C. Jones, S. A. Machtley, and J. R. Hagler. 2016. Protein self-marking by ectoparasites: a case study using bed bugs. Journal of Medical Entomology 53: 1-8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjw117
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Eaton, T.D., S. C. Jones, and T. M. Jenkins. 2016. Species diversity of Puerto Rican Heterotermes (Dictyoptera: Rhinotermitidae) revealed by phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes. Journal of Insect Science (In Press)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C. 2016. Management strategies to win the battle against bed bugs, pp. 115-124. In: Proceedings 2016 Recertification Conferences for Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicators. Ohio State University Extension, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C. 2016. Termite control update, pp. 125-130. In: Proceedings 2016 Recertification Conferences for Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicators. Ohio State University Extension, Columbus, OH.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C., T. D. Eaton, and T. M. Jenkins. 2016. Genetic diversity of Puerto Rican Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) revealed by phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genes. In: Abstracts of the XXV International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL, 25-30 September 2016. doi: 10.1603/ICE.2016.114774
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C., E. L. Vargo, P. Labadie, C. Keefer, R. E. Gold, C. W. Scherer, and N. T. Gallagher. 2016. A multi-state study to assess the efficacy of Altriset termiticide in controlling Reticulitermes flavipes in infested structures (Abstract). In W. Bajwa [ed.], Proceedings of the 2016 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Albuquerque, NM, 22-25 May 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C., T. D. Eaton, and T. M. Jenkins. Species diversity of Puerto Rican Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) revealed by phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear loci. XXV Meeting of the International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL, 25-30 September 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C. , E. L. Vargo, P. Labadie, C. Keefer, R. E. Gold, C. W. Scherer, and N. T. Gallagher. A multi-state study to assess the efficacy of Altriset Termiticide in controlling Reticulitermes flavipes in infested structures. National Conference on Urban Entomology, Albuquerque, NM, 22-25 May 2016. (Invited presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C. Don't let the bed bugs bite. Ohio Guardianship Association Conference. Columbus, OH, 8 September 2016. (Invited presentation)
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: u.osu.edu/bedbugs/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jones, S. C., D. J. DeGirolamo, and J. L. Bryant. 2016. Household insect identification card. Ohio State University Extension, CFAES-1001-16, 2 p.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jones, S. C. Battling bed bugs with diverse strategies. National Pest Management Association Pest World Conference, Nashville, TN, 22 October 2015. (Invited presentation)


Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs, termites and other wood-destroying insects was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners; community groups; social service agencies such as Children Services and Office on Aging; the pest management industry at the local, state, and national level; home inspectors; the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the U.S. EPA. Efficacy studies on termite control products were done in conjunction with several industry manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and Ohio pest management companies. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) was involved in research that involved experimental use permits. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Numerous students and staff members in the OSU Department of Entomology participated in the project and furthered their professional development as entomologists. Joshua Bryant, a Research Associate from July 2010 to January 2015, and his subsequent replacement, Christina Bogart [September 2015 to date], as well as a temporary employee, Angela Tucker [August 2014 to January 2015], participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate products to control termites, bed bugs, and/or brown marmorated stink bugs. Tyler Eaton, a Research Associate [January 2014 to date], conducted research on termite molecular biology; he has learned various techniques in isolating DNA and RNA. Kara Baker, a part-time Research Assistant [July 2013 to date], learned bed bug feeding techniques. A post-doctoral researcher, Frances Sivakoff [August 2013 to March 2015], adapted protein marking techniques for bed bugs. A Master's student, Courtney Darrington, learned how to use a Hemotek artificial membrane feeding system for her research on bed bug feeding behavior. Darrington defended her thesis and graduated with an M.S. degree in May 2015. Bogart and Baker received animal care and use training in 2015. Two undergraduate students, Alex Tyrpak and Olimpia Ferguson, participated in various lab and field projects pertaining to bed bugs and termites. Four students (Sivakoff, Darrington, Tyrpak, and Ferguson) presented their research at the Entomological Society of America Annual Conference in Portland, OR in November 2014, where Darrington placed 2nd in the student competition for her oral presentation and Ferguson placed 1st in the undergraduate competition for her poster presentation. Ferguson and Tyrpak additionally presented their research posters in 2015 at the OSU College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Research Forum and the OSU Denman competition. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?From 1 October 2014 through 30 September 2015, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops and seminars for health care providers, social service agencies, and homeowners. In these talks, I reached a total audience of approximately 3,800 individuals. I taught the Ohio wood-destroying insect inspection workshop in October 2014 and May 2015 and reached 103 individuals requiring certification or re-certification training for pesticide license category 11. In January and February 2015, I presented talks at Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Recertification conferences in Dayton, Akron, Sandusky, and Columbus, and reached approximately 2,100 adults requiring training for pesticide license categories 10A and 10B. Bed bugs, which are a resurgent pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus of many of my outreach efforts. I taught 3-hr workshops regarding bed bugs in October 2014 and March 2015 for Franklin County Children Services personnel. I served as an invited member on two regional bed bug task force steering committee (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [JBBTF; Cincinnati metropolitan area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area]). The JBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among the Cincinnati Health Department, the Hamilton County Board of Health, and Ohio State University (OSU) Extension Entomology. The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among local governments; city and county health departments; social service agencies; pest management industry; landlord and tenants' rights groups; fire departments; Ohio Department of Commerce; Ohio Department of Health; ODA; and OSU. I presented two talks at the Annual COBBTF Summit in October 2014, reaching an audience of ~150 individuals. I provided numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles for the COBBTF web site, centralohiobedbugs.org, which has been widely accessed by the public. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on OSU Extension's website, ohioline.osu.edu. I also provided numerous interviews for television and on-line or print news articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research will be conducted to evaluate new and conventional insecticides for control of bed bugs and termites and occasional household invader pests such as the brown marmorated stink bug. Investigations will be conducted of behavioral, biological, and ecological characteristics of bed bugs and termites. Research will continue to assess the genetic diversity of Caribbean Heterotermes termites using phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers as well as taxonomic characteristics. Studies will be published documenting bed bug feeding and defecation behaviors on a live host and artificial feeding system. A research paper will be submitted documenting a protein marking technique for studies of bed bug dispersal. A demonstration project will be initiated in 2016 to assess a financially sustainable bed bug control program for low-income housing.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Subterranean termites are the most economically important structural pests in Ohio and in most other states, causing annual losses of ~$11 billion nationwide. Given that a home typically is one's largest monetary investment, its protection from subterranean termites is a primary concern. The Ohio State University Entomology Department has been significantly involved in research on termite control products, which enables homeowners to choose effective products to safeguard their home. The eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is an economically significant pest species that is widely distributed in the eastern and central United States. Field research in termite-infested structures was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of (1) a termite bait, Trelona Double Bait (active ingredient: novaluron), (2) a soil termiticide, Altriset (active ingredient: chlorantraniliprole), and (3) a soil termiticide, Termidor H•P II High Precision Termiticide (active ingredient: fipronil), and a new application unit. Laboratory research using a 13C-fingerprint approach was conducted to determine whether the eastern subterranean termite sourced essential amino acids (EAAs) from its gut-associated microbiota (bacteria and fungi). Predictive modeling identified gut-associated bacteria and fungi, respectively, as potential major and minor sources of EAAs in both termite carcass and gut filtrate samples, but fungal infestation of the wood diet in the termite colony lowered the confidence with which gut microbes could be attributed as being the source of EAA input to the termite host. Despite this limitation, the study provided tentative data in support of hypothesized EAA provisioning by gut microbes. During the past decade, bed bugs have re-emerged as a pest of humans in communities throughout Ohio and the United States. Bed bugs are difficult and expensive to control, and they necessitate multiple integrated pest management strategies. The Ohio State University Entomology Department has been significantly involved in research on bed bug detection and control. ActiveGuard Mattress Liners are comprised of finely woven polyester fabric that is impregnated with permethrin (1.64%) through a non-covalent bonding process that allows for bioavailability of permethrin sufficient to kill select arthropods including house dust mites and bed bugs. The liners are commercially available as an integrated pest management tool for use against bed bugs. We investigated effects of the permethrin-impregnated fabric on feeding behavior and fecundity of bed bugs from five populations that ranged from susceptible to highly pyrethroid resistant. Bed bugs exposed to ActiveGuard fabric for 10 minutes were significantly less likely to attempt to feed or to successfully feed and their average blood meal size and subsequent fecundity were significantly reduced compared to individuals exposed to untreated fabric. Female bed bugs exposed to ActiveGuard for 10 minutes were significantly more likely to lay no eggs. The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (BMSB) is an invasive, plant-eating insect that was accidentally introduced into the U.S. from Asia. First discovered in 1996 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, it since has been found in at least 40 states in the U.S. The BMSB is a major agricultural pest in the U.S., but it also is a major invader of homes. During autumn, BMSBs enter homes and other buildings, often in large numbers, as they seek overwintering sites. Fortunately, they do not bite people and are essentially harmless to property. However, when abundant, they can be a nuisance pest that causes concern and they also produce a very unpleasant odor. Preliminary research indicates that a spray application of Arilon (indoxacarb) to the exterior of homes during autumn reduces entry of the BMSB, and field studies are continuing into FY2016.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jones, S. C., J. L. Bryant, and F. S.Sivakoff. 2015.Sublethal effects of ActiveGuard exposure on feeding behavior and fecundity of the bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Journal of Medical Entomology 52: 1-6.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ayayee, P. A., S. C. Jones, and Z. L. Sabree. 2015. Can 13C stable isotope analysis uncover essential amino acid provisioning by termite-associated gut-microbes? PeerJ 3:e1218; DOI 10.7717/peerj.1218
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: u.osu.edu/bedbugs/
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Courtney L. Darrington. 2015. Bed bug (Cimex lectularius) defecation behavior following a blood meal. The Ohio State University, Department of Entomology, Masters thesis.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jones, S. C. 2015. Termite control update, pp. 142-148. In: Proceedings of the 2015 Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Recertification Conferences. Ohio State University Extension, Columbus.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jones, S. C. 2015. Research update: bed bug management, pp. 131-141. In: Proceedings of the 2015 Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Recertification Conferences. Ohio State University Extension, Columbus.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jones, S. C., D. J. DeGirolamo, and J. L. Bryant. 2014. Household insect identification card. Ohio State University Extension, CFAES-1001-14, 2 p.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Darlington, C. L. and S. C. Jones. 2014. Bed bug feeding and defecation behaviors on a live host compared to an artificial membrane system. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Portland, OR, 16-19 November 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Ferguson, O. J., S. C. Jones, and J. L. Bryant. 2014. Effectiveness of alcohol as a do-it-yourself treatment to combat the bed bug, Cimex lectularius (poster). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Portland, OR, 16-19 November 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ferguson, O. J., S. C. Jones, and J. L. Bryant. 2015. Effectiveness of alcohol as a do-it-yourself treatment to combat the bed bug, Cimex lectularius (poster). Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences Conference. Houston, TX, 26-29 March 2015.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tyrpak, A. M., S. C. Jones, and J. L. Bryant. 2014. How to kill bed bugs in portable items: unconventional non-chemical approaches (poster). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Portland, OR, 16-19 November 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sivakoff, F. S., S. C. Jones, K. S. Baker, and J. L. Bryant. 2014. Sublethal effects of ActiveGuard exposure on feeding success and fecundity of the bed bug (Cimex lectularius) (poster). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Portland, OR, 16-19 November 2014.


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs, termites and other wood-destroying insects was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners; community groups; social service agencies such as Children Services and Office on Aging; the pest management industry at the local, state, and national level; home inspectors; the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the U.S. EPA. Efficacy studies on termite control products were done in conjunction with several industry manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and Ohio pest management companies. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) was involved in research that involved experimental use permits. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Numerous students and staff members in the OSU Department of Entomology participated in the project and furthered their professional development as entomologists. Two part-time Research Associates, Joshua Bryant [July 2010 to date] and Angela Tucker [August 2014 to date], participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate products to control termites, bed bugs, and brown marmorated stink bugs. Tyler Eaton, a Research Associate [Jan 2014 to date], worked on termite molecular biology; he has learned various techniques in isolating DNA and RNA. Kara Baker, a part-time Research Assistant [July 2013 to date], learned bed bug feeding techniques. A Post-doctoral researcher, Frances Sivakoff [August 2013 to date} adapted protein marking techniques for bed bugs. A Master’s student, Courtney Darrington, learned how to use a Hemotek artificial membrane feeding system for her research on bed bug feeding behavior. Darrington and Sivakoff received animal care and use training. Three undergraduates, Alex Tyrpak, Olimpia Ferguson, and Christina Bogart participated in various lab and field projects pertaining to bed bugs and termites. Eaton and Darrington presented their research at the National Conference on Urban Entomology in San Antonio, TX, in May 2014. Sivakoff, Darrington, Tyrpak, and Ferguson presented their research at the Entomological Society of America Annual Conference in Portland, OR in Nov 2014. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? During 2014, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops and seminars for health providers, social service agencies, and homeowners. In these talks, I reached a total audience of several thousand individuals. In addition, I taught the Ohio wood-destroying insect inspection workshop in April and October 2014 and reached 156 individuals requiring certification or re-certification training in pesticide category 11. In January and February 2014, I presented talks at Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Recertification conferences in Dayton, Sandusky, and Columbus, and reached approximately 1,250 requiring training in pesticide categories 10A and 10B. Bed bugs, which are an emerging pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus of many of my outreach efforts. I served as an invited member on two regional bed bug task force steering committee (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [JBBTF; Cincinnati metropolitan area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area]). The JBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among the Cincinnati Health Department, the Hamilton County Board of Health, and Ohio State University (OSU) Extension Entomology. The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among local governments; city and county health departments; social service agencies; pest management industry; landlord and tenants’ rights groups; fire departments; Ohio Department of Commerce; Ohio Department of Health; ODA; and OSU. I presented at the Annual COBBTF Summit in October 2014, reaching an audience of ~150 individuals at each of two talks. I provided numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles for the COBBTF web site, centralohiobedbugs.org, which has been widely accessed by the public. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on OSU Extension's web site (http://ohioline.osu.edu). I also provided numerous interviews for television and on-line or print news articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Research will be conducted to evaluate new and conventional insecticides for control of bed bugs and termites and occasional invader pests such as the brown marmorated stink bug. Investigations will be conducted of behavioral, biological, and ecological characteristics of bed bugs and termites. Research will continue to assess the genetic diversity of Caribbean Heterotermes termites using phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. Studies to investigate adverse health effects attributable to bed bugs will focus on vector competence, which pertains to their ability to acquire, maintain, and transmit an infectious agent. Studies will be conducted to describe bed bug feeding and defecation behaviors on a live host and artificial feeding system. Research will continue for validating a protein marking techniques for studies of bed bug dispersal. A demonstration project will be initiated to assess a financially sustainable bed bug control program for low-income housing.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Subterranean termites are the most economically important structural pests in Ohio and in most other states, causing annual losses of ~$11 billion nationwide. Given that a home typically is one’s largest monetary investment, its protection from subterranean termites is a primary concern. The Ohio State University Entomology Department has been significantly involved in research on termite control products, which enables homeowners to choose effective products to safeguard their home. The eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is an economically significant pest species that is widely distributed in the eastern and central United States. We investigated growth of inbred monogamous R. flavipes colonies (180 total) monthly during their first year, thereby assessing colony growth at a much finer temporal scale than previous studies. King and queen biomass greatly decreased from the 1 mo to 3 mo census coinciding with egg production and colony foundation, but their biomass remained relatively constant thereafter. Three cohorts of eggs were produced, with the greatest number of eggs (mean = 14.5) being produced during the first month. Offspring biomass was equal to that of the reproductive pair at the 2 mo census, double at 3 mo, and quadruple at 11 mo. One-year-old colonies ranged in size from 20 to 40 individuals, with an average of 28.9 individuals. Laboratory procedures are described for establishing incipient colonies of subterranean termites as an educational tool or for research purposes. Sequence data from mitochondrial and nuclear genes were used to examine the diversity of Heterotermes termites in the Caribbean. The mitochondrial genetic markers included sequence data of the 16S rRNA gene and the cytochrome oxidase II (CO2) gene. The nuclear genetic marker consisted of sequence data of the ITS array, which includes the internal transcribed spacer I, the 5.8S rRNA gene, and the internal transcribed spacer II. Field research was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of a termite bait, Trelona (novaluron), in termite-infested structures. During the past decade, bed bugs have re-emerged as a pest of humans in communities throughout Ohio and the United States. Bed bugs are difficult and expensive to control, and they necessitate multiple integrated pest management strategies. The Ohio State University Entomology Department has been significantly involved in research on bed bug detection and control. ActiveGuard Mattress Liners are comprised of finely woven polyester fabric that is impregnated with permethrin (1.64%) through a non-covalent bonding process that allows for bioavailability of permethrin sufficient to kill select arthropods including house dust mites and bed bugs. The liners are commercially available as an integrated pest management tool for use against bed bugs. We investigated sublethal effects of the permethrin-impregnated fabric on feeding behavior and fecundity of bed bugs from five populations that ranged from susceptible to highly pyrethroid resistant. Bed bugs exposed to ActiveGuard fabric for 10 minutes were significantly less likely to attempt to feed or successfully feed and their average blood meal size and subsequent fecundity were significantly reduced compared to individuals exposed to untreated fabric. The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (BMSB) is an invasive, plant-eating insect that was accidentally introduced into the U.S. from Asia. First discovered in 1996 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, it since has been found in at least 40 states in the U.S. The BMSB is a major agricultural pest in the U.S., but it also is a major invader of homes. During autumn, this insect is looking for an overwintering site and homes are very attractive. BMSB enter homes and other buildings, often in large numbers. Fortunately, they do not bite people and are essentially harmless to property. However, when abundant, they can be a nuisance pest that causes concern and they also produce a very unpleasant odor. Research was initiated to assess whether an autumn spray application of Arilon (indoxocarb) to the exterior of homes was effective in reducing entry of the BMSB.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Janowiecki, M. A., S. C. Jones, and J. L. Bryant. 2014. Insights into the growth of young termite colonies. Pest Control Technology 42: 48-52, 108.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Eaton, T. D., S. C. Jones, and T. M. Jenkins. 2014. Genetic diversity of Caribbean Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) revealed by phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. In K. K. Jordan and J. M. Myers [eds.], Proceedings of the 2014 National Conference on Urban Entomology, San Antonio, TX, 18-21 May 2014.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jones, S. C. 2014. Challenges of bed bug infestations in Ohio residential settings. National Conference on Urban Entomology, San Antonio, TX, 18-21 May 2014.
  • Type: Websites Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: u.osu.edu/bedbugs/
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jones, S. C. 2014. Termite baits for management of structural infestations of Reticulitermes flavipes, p. 43. Abstracts of the International Congress of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects, Cairns, Australia, 13-18 July 2014. ttp://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/10541
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Darrington, C. L. and S. C. Jones. 2014. Investigations into the vector capacity of bed bugs: feeding and defecation behaviors. In K. K. Jordan and J. M. Myers [eds.], Proceedings of the 2014 National Conference on Urban Entomology, San Antonio, TX, 18-21 May 2014.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs, termites and other wood-destroying insects was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners, community groups, social service agencies, health care providers,the pest management industry, home inspectors, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the U.S. EPA. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Joshua Bryant, a Research Associate [July 2010 to date], and Scott Harrison [Feb. 2012 to Aug. 2013], a part-time Research Assistant, both in the OSU Department of Entomology, participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate termite products and bed bug products. Priyanka Mittapelly, a J-1 Visiting Scholar [Sept 2011 to date], worked 75% time on bed bug molecular biology; she has learned various techniques in isolating DNA, RNA and sRNAs (small RNA). Two undergraduates, Lucas Heminger and Melissa Alllen participated in various lab and field projects pertaining to bed bugs and termites. Such involvement advanced these individuals' professional development as entomologists. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? During 2013, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops and seminars for health providers, social service agencies, and homeowners. I taught the Ohio wood-destroying insect inspection workshop in April 2013 and reached individuals requiring certification or re-certification training in pesticide category 11. Bed bugs, which are an emerging pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus of many of my outreach efforts. I served as an invited member on two regional bed bug task force steering committee (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [JBBTF; Cincinnati metropolitan area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area]). The JBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among the Cincinnati Health Department, the Hamilton County Board of Health, and Ohio State University (OSU) Extension Entomology. The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among local governments; city and county health departments; social service agencies; pest management industry; landlord and tenants’ rights groups; fire departments; Ohio Department of Commerce; Ohio Department of Health; ODA; and OSU. I provided numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles for the COBBTF web site, centralohiobedbugs.org, which has been widely accessed by the public. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on OSU Extension's web site (http://ohioline.osu.edu). I also was interviewed for television and on-line or print news articles on several dozen occasions. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Research will be conducted to evaluate new and conventional insecticides for control of bed bugs and termites. Investigations will be conducted of behavioral, biological, and ecological characteristics of bed bugs and termites. Studies to investigate adverse health effects attributable to bed bugs will focus on vector competence, which pertains to their ability to acquire, maintain, and transmit an infectious agent. Studies will be conducted to describe bed bug feeding and defecation behaviors. Bacterial components of bed bug feces will be characterized and compared between lab-reared and field strains of bed bugs. Bed bug detection devices will be further investigated.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Subterranean termites are the most economically important structural pests in Ohio and in most other states, with a nationwide cost of~$11 billion each year for prevention and treatment measuresand repair of termite damage. Given that a home typically is one’s largest monetary investment, its protection from subterranean termites is a primary concern. The Ohio State University Entomology Department has been significantly involved in research on termite control products, which enables homeowners to choose effective products to safeguard their home. The eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, is an economically significant pest species that is widely distributed in the eastern and central United States. We investigated growth of inbred monogamous R. flavipes colonies monthly during their first year, thereby assessing colony growth at a much finer temporal scale than previous studies. Growth of 180 R. flavipes incipient colonies was documented via destructive sampling of 15 unique colonies each month for 12 months. King and queen biomass greatly decreased from the 1 mo to 3 mo census coinciding with egg production and colony foundation, but their biomass remained relatively constant thereafter. Three cohorts of eggs were produced, with the greatest number of eggs (mean = 14.5) being produced during the first month. Offspring biomass was equal to that of the reproductive pair at the 2 mo census, double at 3 mo, and quadruple at 11 mo. One-year-old colonies ranged in size from 20 to 40 individuals, with a mean of 28.9 individuals; mean total colony biomass was 39.8 mg. During the past decade, bed bugs have re-emerged as a pest of humans in communities throughout Ohio and the United States. Bed bugs are difficult and expensive to control, and they necessitate multiple integrated pest management strategies. The Ohio State University Entomology Department has been significantly involved in research on bed bug detection and control. ActiveGuard Mattress Liners are comprised of finely woven polyester fabric that is impregnated with permethrin (1.64%) through a non-covalent bonding process that allows for bioavailability of permethrin sufficient to kill select arthropods including house dust mites and bed bugs. The liners are commercially available as an integrated pest management tool for use against bed bugs. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate responses of numerous bed bug populations to the permethrin-impregnated fabric, with particular regard to contact toxicity, repellency, and feeding inhibition. Continuous exposure to ActiveGuard fabric resulted in rapid intoxication for three of four populations, with 87 to 100% of moderately pyrethroid-resistant and susceptible bed bugs succumbing by 1 d. In comparison, a highly resistant population reached 22% mortality at 10 d. Video data revealed that bed bugs readily traversed ActiveGuard fabric and spent a considerable amount of time moving about and resting on it during a 12-h period. ActiveGuard fabric was non-repellent to bed bugs from five tested populations. Furthermore, significantly fewer bed bugs successfully fed to repletion through ActiveGuard fabric than through blank fabric for the five populations. With just 30 min of feeding exposure, mortality ranged from 4% to 83%, depending upon the bed bug strain. These laboratory studies indicate that ActiveGuard liners adversely affected bed bugs from diverse populations.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, Susan C., Bryant, Joshua L., and Harrison, Scott A. 2013. Behavioral responses of the bed bug to permethrin-impregnated ActiveGuard fabric. Insects 4: 230-240.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Mamidala, P., P. Mittapelly, S. C. Jones, P. M. Piermarini, and O. Mittapalli. 2013. Molecular characterization of genes encoding inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels in the bed bug (Cimex lectularius). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B Biochem. Mol. Biol. 164: 275279.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Janowiecki, M. A., S. C. Jones, and J. L. Bryant. 2013. Population growth characteristics of incipient colonies of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 60(4)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, S.C. "New termite technologies." Annual Purdue University Pest Management Conference. West Lafayette, IN. 7-9 January 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, S. C. Health impacts of bed bugs and delusory parasitosis. Residex 2013 Health Summit, E. Windsor, NJ, 13 February 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, S. C. Termite research update. Target Annual Winter Workshop Series, Phoenix, AZ, 19 February 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, S. C. Bed bug research update. Target Annual Winter Workshop Series, Phoenix, AZ, 19 February 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, S.C. Bed bug biology and control. NPMA Bed Bug Forum II, Chicago, IL, 9 April 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, S.C. Whats new to combat bed bugs: techniques, products, and more! NPMA Bed Bug Forum II, Chicago, IL, 9 April 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, S.C. Ohio wood-destroying insect inspection program. ODA training session for Category 12 licensing, Reynoldsburg, OH, 11 April 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, S.C. and J.L. Bryant. New termite technologies: OSU efficacy studies. Toledo Pest Control Association, Toledo, OH, 17 April 2013.


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Subterranean termites are the most economically important structural pests in the U.S., costing approximately $11 billion annually for prevention and treatment measures and repair of termite damage. Management of subterranean termites is one focus of our research efforts. During 2012, several field studies were initiated in central Ohio to assess the effectiveness of termite soil treatments or termite baits for controlling structural infestations of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. Laboratory studies also were conducted to evaluate the response of subterranean termites to a new soil termiticide, chlorantraniliprole. A large-scale laboratory study was conducted to assess insecticide efficacy against the European earwig, Forficula aricularia, a nuisance household pest. Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, have become increasingly commonplace worldwide since the late 1990s, and they now are a major public health pest in residences throughout the U.S. Many in Ohio have been heavily impacted by bed bug infestations. Research efforts directed toward bed bug biology and control are in progress. Genomics research has addressed potential detoxification genes involved in pesticide resistance. Research has been conducted to assess the efficacy of a new bed bug detector and several over-the-counter consumer products marketed for bed bug control. Research results have been published in a variety of scientific journals and presented at state and national professional conferences for the purpose of advancing knowledge of insect biology and control. In 2012, I authored or co-authored a total of 13 research presentations at professional conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Susan C. Jones served as the PI on this project. Efficacy studies on termite control products were done in conjunction with several industry manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and/or Ohio pest management companies. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) was involved in research that involved experimental use permits. Due to the high magnitude of bed bug infestations in Ohio and nationwide, during 2012, I served as an invited member on two regional bed bug task force steering committee (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [JBBTF; Cincinnati metropolitan area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area]). The JBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among the Cincinnati Health Department, the Hamilton County Board of Health, and Ohio State University (OSU) Extension Entomology. The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among local governments; city and county health departments; social service agencies; pest management industry; landlord and tenants rights groups; fire departments; Ohio Department of Commerce; Ohio Department of Health; ODA; and OSU. Joshua Bryant, a Research Associate [July 2010 to date], and Scott Harrison [Feb. 2012 to date], a part-time Research Assistant, both in the OSU Department of Entomology, participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate termite products and bed bug products. Priyanka Mittapelly, a J-1 Visiting Scholar [Sept 2011 to date], worked 75% time on bed bug molecular biology; she has learned various techniques in isolating DNA, RNA and sRNAs (small RNA). Three undergraduates, Jeremy Capetillo, Mark Janowiecki, and Michaela Williams, participated in various lab and field projects pertaining to bed bugs and termites. Such involvement advanced these individuals' professional development as entomologists. TARGET AUDIENCES: Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs, termites and other wood-destroying insects was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners, community groups, the pest management industry, home inspectors, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the U.S. EPA. During 2012, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops and seminars for health providers, social service agencies, and homeowners. In 2012, I made 9 presentations on the biology and control of termites and miscellaneous wood-destroying organisms for pest management professionals, reaching a total of approximately 1,300 individuals. I taught the Ohio wood-destroying insect inspection workshop twice in 2012 and reached an audience of 90 individuals for their required certification or re-certification training. Bed bugs, which are an emerging pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus of many of my outreach efforts. In 2012, I made 26 presentations on integrated pest management (IPM) for bed bugs and other household insects, reaching approximately 2,600 individuals. I was interviewed for television and on-line or print news articles on numerous occasions. The majority of these news stories pertained to bed bugs and were featured in diverse magazines and newspapers including International Business Times, Infection Control Today, Pest Control Technology, Environmental News Network, The Atlantic, Wine Spectator, The Washington Post, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, IndyStar, The Plain Dealer [Cleveland], The Columbus Dispatch, etc. I provided numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles for the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force web site, which has been widely accessed by the public. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on OSU Extension's web site (http://ohioline.osu.edu). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Chlorantraniliprole (Altriset 200SC) caused delayed mortality of R. flavipes in laboratory bioassays. Continuous exposure to treated soil at the label rate of 50 ppm chlorantraniliprole resulted in large numbers of sluggish, ataxic, moribund, and/or dead termites within 24 h. Furthermore, no cellulose consumption was evident. In tests with the European earwig,indoxacarb (Arilon 20WG) was found to be an effective contact toxicant with residual activity. Within 16 h of being directly sprayed with indoxacarb, at least 90% of earwigs were either ataxic, moribund, or dead, and 100% displayed these symptoms of severe intoxication at 1 d. Brief exposure (5 min or 1 h) to dried residues on substrates commonly encountered in urban environments (pine wood and ceramic tile) also caused severe intoxication of earwigs within 1 d. In all bioassays, indoxacarb-treated earwigs showed no signs of recovery during a 21-d period. Our genomics research on bed bugs, which involved molecular modeling and docking studies, revealed the potential of cytochrome P450s to metabolize multiple insecticides. Field-collected bed bugs showed few, if any, adverse effects after 2-h direct exposure to the aerosolized pyrethroid(s) from three over-the-counter total-release foggers (bug bombs)--Hotshot Bedbug and Flea Fogger, Spectracide Bug Stop Indoor Fogger, and Eliminator Indoor Fogger. This study provided the first scientific data supporting the position that foggers should not be recommended for control of bed bugs, because (1) many field-collected bed bugs are resistant to pyrethroids, and they are not affected by brief exposure to low concentrations provided by foggers (2) there is minimal, if any, insecticide penetration into typical bed bug harborage sites. The overall effectiveness of a near-final prototype of the Verifi Bed Bug Detector was demonstrated in occupied apartments in Columbus, OH. The success rate of the prototype Verifi detector (82.4%) compared favorably with do-it-yourself dry ice traps (82.4%) and canine-handler teams (80.0%). Prime sites for Verifi placement include on/near the bed, frequently used upholstered furniture, or baseboards in close proximity to these items. We modified our bed bug rearing protocol after large numbers of bugs were found dead after feeding on chicken blood. Follow-up with the biological supplier revealed that chicken pens and bedding were treated bi-weekly with Sevin (carbaryl), and the chicken blood was drawn 3-d post-treatment. Our laboratory bioassays indicated that carbaryl was the most likely causative agent of mortality in our bed bug populations. We changed blood suppliers and we now use pre-screening bioassays to assess blood quality prior to feeding all bugs.

Publications

  • Bryant, J. L., and S. C. Jones.2012. Lessons learned in bed bug rearing. In Dan Suiter [ed.], Proceedings of the 2012 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Atlanta, GA, 20-23 May.
  • Janowiecki, M. A., S. C. Jones, and J. L. Bryant. 2012. Population growth characteristics of incipient colonies of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae. (abstract) In Dan Suiter [ed.], Proceedings of the 2012 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Atlanta, GA, 20-23 May.
  • Jones, S. C. 2012. Bed bug. World Book Encyclopedia 2: 198-199. World Book, Inc., Chicago, IL. Jones, S. C., and J. L. Bryant. 2012. Active monitoring of bed bugs in occupied apartments. In Dan Suiter [ed.], Proceedings of the 2012 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Atlanta, GA, 20-23 May.
  • Jones, S. C., and J. L. Bryant. 2012. Bed bug-bug bombs busted. Pest Control Technology 40: 98-114.
  • Jones, S. C., and J. L. Bryant. 2012. Contact toxicity and residual efficacy of indoxycarb against the European earwig (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). Insects 3: 593-600.
  • Jones, S. C., and J. L. Bryant. 2012. Delayed impacts of Altriset termiticide on the eastern subterranean termite. (abstract) In Dan Suiter [ed.], Proceedings of the 2012 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Atlanta, GA, 20-23 May.
  • Jones, S. C., and J. L. Bryant. 2012. Ineffectiveness of over-the-counter total-release foggers against the bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 105: 957-963.
  • Mamidala, P., A. J. Wijeratne, S. Wijeratne, K. Kornacker, B. Sudhamalla, L. J. River-Vega, A. Hoelmer, T. Meulia, S. C. Jones, and O. Mittapalli. 2012. RNA-Seq and molecular docking reveal multi-level pesticide resistance in the bed bug. BMC Genomics 13:6.


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Subterranean termites cause an estimated $2 billion per year for costs associated with their prevention and treatment, making them the most economically important wood-destroying insects in the United States. Research efforts directed toward the management of subterranean termites are in progress. During 2011, several field studies to assess the effectiveness of termite soil treatments for controlling structural infestations of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, were conducted in central Ohio. Laboratory studies also were conducted to evaluate the response of subterranean termites to a new soil termiticide, chlorantraniliprole. Since the late 1990s, bed bugs have begun making a comeback worldwide, and they have emerged as major pests in cities and towns across the United States. Many in Ohio have been heavily impacted by bed bug infestations. Research efforts directed toward bed bug biology and control are in progress. We disseminated a bed bug pocket guide (coauthored by Susan Jones and Glen Needham), which serves as a pictorial guide to recognizing bed bugs and their signs on common items found in human dwellings as well as providing details on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for bed bugs. In 2011, approximately 1,900 pocket guides were distributed to important user groups throughout the U.S. as well as in Canada. Research results have been published in a variety of scientific journals. Research results also have been disseminated at state and national professional conferences for the purpose of advancing knowledge of insect biology and control. In 2011, I authored or co-authored a total of 5 research presentations at professional conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Susan C. Jones served as the PI on this project. Efficacy studies on termite soil termiticides were done in conjunction with several industry manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and/or Ohio pest management companies. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) was involved in projects that involved experimental use permits. Due to the high magnitude of bed bug infestations in Ohio and nationwide, during 2011 I served as an invited member on the steering committee of two regional bed bug task forces (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [JBBTF; Cincinnati metropolitan area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area]), the National Pest Management Association's (NPMA) Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force, and the Bed Bug Researchers Working Group (nationwide). The JBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among the Cincinnati Health Department, the Hamilton County Board of Health, and OSU Extension Entomology. The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among local governments; city and county health departments; social service agencies; pest management industry; landlord and tenants rights groups; fire departments; Ohio Department of Commerce; Ohio Department of Health; ODA; and Ohio State University (OSU). The NPMA Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force is comprised of ~30 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including pest management professionals, industry regulators, and researchers. The Bed Bug Researchers Working Group is sponsored by USDA IPM Centers and includes bed bug researchers and extension personnel from universities throughout the country and researchers from the USDA Agricultural Research Service. I collaborated with ODA in their on-going application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for the use of propoxur, a carbamate, for the control of bed bugs. In April 2011, I provided written and oral testimony to members of the Ohio House of Representatives, Health and Aging Committee, for Ohio HR 31-a resolution to urge the Administrator of the EPA to grant an emergency exemption for the use of propoxur to control bed bugs in Ohio. Joshua Bryant, a Research Associate in the OSU Department of Entomology [July 2010 to date] participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate soil termiticides. Joshua Bryant also participated in field trials to assess bed bug populations and control methods. Three OSU undergraduate students, Jeremy Capetillo, Mark Janowiecki, and Thomas Peterson, participated in various laboratory and field projects pertaining to bed bugs and termites. Such involvement advanced these individuals' professional development as entomologists. Nicola Gallagher, a part-time Research Associate in the OSU Department of Entomology [Jan. 2011 to May 31, 2011] participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate soil termiticides. Nicola Gallagher's involvement in research projects advanced her preparations for a professional career, and in June 2011she began work as a Development and Technical Service Representative with DuPont. TARGET AUDIENCES: Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs, termites and other wood-destroying insects was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners, community groups, the pest management industry, home inspectors, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the U.S. EPA. During 2011, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops and seminars for health providers, social service agencies, and homeowners. In 2011, I made 5 presentations on termite biology and control for pest management professionals, reaching a total of more than 400 individuals. I taught the wood-destroying insect inspection workshop twice in 2011 and reached an audience of 91 individuals for their required certification or re-certification training. Bed bugs, which are an emerging pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus of many of my outreach efforts. In 2011, I made 36 presentations on integrated pest management (IPM) for bed bugs to various audiences, reaching a total of more than 4,600 individuals. I was interviewed for television on 10 occasions on topics that included bed bugs and head lice. My laboratory was featured in a 2011 Animal Planet documentary, Bedbug Apocalypse. I did 4 radio interviews, most notably for National Public Radio and the British Broadcast Corp. I was interviewed for on-line or print news articles on 35 occasions regarding arthropods such as bed bugs, head lice, millipedes, and spiders. The majority of these news stories pertained to bed bugs and were featured in diverse magazines (Men's Health, Cincinnati Magazine, Chemical and Engineering News, Pest Magazine UK, Pest Control Technology, etc.), newspapers such as The Miami Herald, The Daytona Beach News-Journal, The Examiner [Washington DC], The Columbus Dispatch, The Plain Dealer [Cleveland],The Cincinnati Enquirer, etc., and on-line articles (AOL Health, Capital News Online, etc.). I provided numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles for the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force web site, which has been widely accessed by the public. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on OSU Extension's web site (http://ohioline.osu.edu). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
OSU laboratory studies on a relatively slow-acting soil termiticide, chlorantraniliprole (Altriset), showed that it caused delayed mortality in an intact termite colony. Following introduction of 7% Altriset-treated individuals, treated termites were readily accepted by untreated nestmates and colony size was reduced by 75% in 10 weeks. As a low hazard liquid insecticide, Altriset is the first to be classified as "Reduced Risk" by the EPA. Environmentally-friendly termiticides will provide alternatives to the broad-spectrum organophosphate termiticides that have been restricted by the Food Quality Protection Act. Efficacy data on commercially available products provide consumers with a variety of products to choose for termite control. Laboratory bioassays also were conducted against other household insects. Indoxacarb (Arilon) was found to be an effective insecticide against the European earwig, Forficula aricularia. Within 16 hours of being directly sprayed with Arilon, ≥90% of earwigs in two populations displayed symptoms of severe intoxication, and 100% were either ataxic, moribund, or dead at 1 d. Brief exposure (5 min or 1 h) to dried Arilon residues also was sufficient to cause severe intoxication of earwigs, regardless of whether the dried residues were on a porous or non-porous substrate. A survey was conducted to gauge opinions about bed bugs, and results revealed that 90% of all respondents considered bed bugs to be a public health concern, and 73% indicated that bed bugs pose an environmental justice concern. These findings, which indicate that bed bugs are an inescapable public health mandate with environmental justice undertones, should rally public health agencies, at federal, state, and local levels, to respond with authority of agency to the escalating bed bug problem. In other research, the bed bug transcriptome was subjected to 454 pyrosequencing, which led to the identification of potential detoxification genes involved in pesticide resistance. This research had established a foundation for future functional genomics studies. In related research, a ribosomal protein, RPL18, was determined to be a suitable reference gene for normalization in gene expression studies of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius. Field studies were conducted in a high rise apartment on a new device, the Verifi Bed Bug Detector. Results for the Verifi Detector compared favorably with two other active monitoring approaches-- bed bug detection dogs and do-it-yourself dry ice traps. The dog-handler team made apparently erroneous calls in four rooms, whereas three false negatives (bed bugs were not captured, yet they were present on the premises) were documented for the dry ice traps as well as for the Verifi Detectors.

Publications

  • Mamidala, P., S. P. Rajarapu, S. C. Jones, and O. Mittapalli. 2011. Identification and validation of reference genes for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in Cimex lectularius. Journal of Medical Entomology. Vol. 48, no. 5. : 947-951.
  • Bai, X., P. Mamidala, S. R. Rajarapu, S. C. Jones, and O. Mittapalli. 2011. Transcriptomics of the bed bug (Cimex lectularius). Public Library of Sciences One. Vol. 6, no. 1. : e16336.
  • Jones, S., B. Bloetscher, J. Kick-Raack, L. Alonso, W. P. Kirchner, and G. Wegner. 2011. Choosing a pest management company. Ohio State University Extension, Fact Sheet HYG-2178-11. 5 p.
  • Jones, S. C., and C. Eddy. 2011. Letters to the Editor: Bed Bugs. Journal of Environmental Health. Vol. 74, no. 1. (July): 56-57.
  • Eddy, C. and S. C. Jones. 2011. Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: Part 1, A call to action. Journal of Environmental Health. Vol. 73, no. 8. : 8-14.
  • Eddy, C. and S. C. Jones. 2011. Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: Part 2, An opinion survey. Journal of Environmental Health. Vol. 73, no. 8. : 15-17.
  • Mamidala, P., S. C. Jones, and O. Mittapalli. 2011. Metabolic resistance in bed bugs. Insects. Vol. 2. : 36-48.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Subterranean termites cause an estimated $2 billion per year for costs associated with their prevention and treatment, making them the most economically important wood-destroying insects in the United States. Research efforts directed toward the management of subterranean termites are in progress. During 2010, several field studies to assess the effectiveness of termite soil treatments for controlling structural infestations of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, were conducted in central Ohio. Laboratory studies also were conducted to evaluate the response of subterranean termites to a new soil termiticide, chlorantraniliprole. Subterranean termites are highly susceptible to desiccation, and moisture is a critical factor in their survival. Consequently, water relations govern many facets of termite biology. Laboratory studies, some involving histological techniques, were conducted to investigate the physiological and behavioral mechanisms involved with water maintenance in R. flavipes. Research was undertaken to investigate the physiological condition of the salivary reservoirs and termites' ability to conserve and transport water when exposed to moist and desiccating conditions. Termites are a diverse group of hemimetabolous insects that consume a variety of woody materials which are rich in cellulose and lignin but poor in nutrients, most notably nitrogen (N). The decay-free wood upon which several species of termites thrive contains as little as 0.03 to 0.7%, yet termites are approximately 10% N dry weight since they possess symbiotic bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen (N2). Under conditions where N is limiting, organisms that form such symbioses, such as xylophagous termites, are able to dominate their environments. Using stable isotopes, research was undertaken to determine whether the N concentration in food influences symbiotic N2 fixation in the eastern subterranean termite. Since the late 1990s, bed bugs have begun making a comeback worldwide, and they have emerged as major pests in cities and towns across the United States. Many in Ohio have been heavily impacted by bed bug infestations. We disseminated a bed bug pocket guide (coauthored by Susan Jones and Glen Needham), which serves as a pictorial guide to recognizing bed bugs and their signs on common items found in human dwellings as well as providing details on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for bed bugs. Approximately 730 pocket guides were distributed to important user groups, primarily in Ohio. Research results have been published in a variety of scientific journals. Research results also have been disseminated at state and national professional conferences for the purpose of advancing knowledge of insect biology and control. In 2010, in conjunction with students and colleagues, I made a total of eight research presentations at professional conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Susan C. Jones served as the PI on this project. Efficacy studies on termite soil termiticides were done in conjunction with several agricultural chemical companies and/or Ohio pest management companies. The Ohio Department of Agriculture was involved in projects that involved experimental use permits. Due to the high magnitude of bed bug infestations in Ohio and nationwide, during 2010 I served as an invited member on the steering committee of two regional bed bug task forces (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [JBBTF; Cincinnati metropolitan area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area], the Ohio Bed Bug Workgroup, and the National Pest Management Association Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force. The JBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among the Cincinnati Health Department, the Hamilton County Board of Health, and OSU Extension Entomology. The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among Local Governments; City and County Health Departments; Social Service Agencies; Pest Management Industry; Landlord and Tenants Rights Groups; Fire Departments; Ohio Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Health; and Ohio State University. The Ohio Bed Bug Workgroup is chaired by the director of the Ohio Department of Health and comprised of approximately 40 members including the Governor's Office, Ohio Environmental Health Association, Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio Department of Education, Council on Aging, Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association, Ohio Pest Management Association, etc. The NPMA Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force is comprised of ~30 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including pest management professionals, industry regulators, and researchers. I collaborated with the Ohio Department of Agriculture in their request to EPA for a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for the use of propoxur, a carbamate, for the control of bed bugs. In March 2010, I provided written and oral testimony for Ohio HR 182 - a resolution to urge the Administrator of the EPA to grant an emergency exemption for the use of propoxur to control bed bugs in Ohio. Joshua Bryant, a Research Associate in the OSU Department of Entomology [July to date], and Nicola T. Gallagher, a Ph.D. student in the OSU Department of Entomology [2004 to August 2010], participated in laboratory and field trials to evaluate soil termiticides. Joshua Bryant also participated in field trials to assess bed bug populations and control methods. Two undergraduate students, Benjamin R. Diehl and Mark Janowiecki, participated in various laboratory and field projects pertaining to bed bugs and termites. Such involvement advanced these four individual's professional development as urban entomologists. Nicola Gallagher received training on histological techniques for her Ph.D. research project; Benjamin Diehl received training on the use of digital imaging equipment. Benjamin Diehl's involvement in research projects advanced his preparations for graduate studies, which commenced in fall 2010 at Texas A&M University. TARGET AUDIENCES: Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs, head lice, termites and other wood-destroying insects was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners, community groups, the pest management industry, home inspectors, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. EPA. During 2010, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pesticide applicator recertification conferences, pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops and seminars for health providers and homeowners. Bed bugs, which are an emerging pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus of many of these outreach efforts. In 2010, I made 28 presentations on IPM for bed bugs to various audiences, reaching a total of more than 4,200 individuals. I was interviewed by the news media on ~23 occasions regarding insects; the majority pertained to bed bugs and included news stories that were featured on TV as well as in magazines (Woman's Day, Daily Finance, Fido Friendly, Redbook, etc.) and newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times, The Columbus Dispatch, The Plain Dealer [Cleveland], The Toledo Blade, etc. I provided numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles for the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force web site, which has been widely accessed by the public. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on OSU Extension's web site (http://ohioline.osu.edu). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
OSU laboratory studies on a soil termiticide, chlorantraniliprole, showed that this insecticide exhibited delayed mortality in termites in limited exposure bioassays. Termites behaved normally (walking, grooming, etc.) for several hours after acquiring lethal doses of this relatively slow-acting termiticide. In 2010, DuPont registered chlorantraniliprole as a termiticide under the brand name Altriset; it is the first liquid termiticide classified as "Reduced Risk" by the EPA. This termiticide has an excellent environmental profile with both acute oral and dermal toxicity of >5,000 mg/kg, making it one of the most low hazard liquid insecticides. Environmentally-friendly termiticides will provide alternatives to the broad-spectrum organophosphate termiticides that have been restricted by the Food Quality Protection Act. Efficacy data on commercially available products provide consumers with a variety of products to choose for termite control. Our studies demonstrated that termites use their salivary reservoirs as "water sacs" to relocate water from moist areas to dry resources. Termites altered their food source to a moisture level of ~20% after only 36 hours. Furthermore, results showed that areas of ≥20% moisture were strong indicators of termite activity, providing supporting evidence that pest management professionals should use moisture meters during termite inspections. OSU studies of termite water maintenance provide further insights into how water is transported by termites, potentially leading to new termite control methods, either by directly manipulating the termites' ability to manage water or reinforcing the importance of a holistic approach to termite management. This research provides a framework for manipulating environmental factors essential for termite survival. Using stable isotopes, our study results indicated that as dietary N increased, termite dependence on fixed N2 decreased, reflecting the high energy costs associated with symbiotic N2 fixation. Our methodology of force feeding an antibiotic to each individual termite produced tenable estimates of important metabolic discrimination factors whereas previous studies simply relied on estimates from mammalian and plant systems. Therefore, this study significantly extended what is known about nitrogen fixation in termites and the role that R. flavipes may play in nutrient cycling. The methodology we used and the results we obtained should have interesting implications for future research on N2 fixation in other termite and arthropod species.

Publications

  • Jones, Susan C. [ed.]. 2010. Proceedings of the 2010 National Conference on Urban Entomology, 16-19 May 2010, Portland, OR. 235 p.
  • Gallagher, Nicola T., and Susan C. Jones. 2010. Moisture augmentation of food items by Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 55(3): 735-748.
  • Meuti, Megan E., Susan C. Jones, and Peter S. Curtis. 2010. 15N discrimination and the sensitivity of nitrogen fixation to changes in dietary nitrogen in Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Environmental Entomology 39(6): 1810-1815.
  • Gallagher, Nicola T., and Susan C. Jones. 2010. Variability of salivary reservoirs among Reticulitermes flavipes castes, p. 40 (Abstract). In Susan C. Jones [ed.], Proceedings of the 2010 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Portland, OR, 16-19 May.
  • Mittapalli, Omprakash, Xiaodong Bai, Praveen Mamidala, Swapna R. Rajarapu, and Susan C. Jones. 2010. Gene discovery in bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), p. 131 (Abstract). In Susan C. Jones [ed.], Proceedings of the 2010 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Portland, OR, 16-19 May.
  • Jones, Susan C., Benjamin R. Diehl, and George Keeney. 2010. Bed bug (Cimex lectularius) life stages and adult sex ratios in a multi-story apartment complex, p. 132 (Abstract). In Susan C. Jones [ed.], Proceedings of the 2010 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Portland, OR, 16-19 May.
  • Gallagher, Nicola T., and Susan C. Jones. 2010. Moisture on the move. Pest Control Technology 38(3): 55-59.
  • Jones, Susan C. 2010. Carpenter ants. Ohio State University Extension, Fact Sheet HYG-2063-10. 4 p.
  • Shetlar, David J., Susan C. Jones, and Jennifer E. Andon. 2010. Boxelder bugs and leaf-footed bugs. Ohio State University Extension, Fact Sheet HYG-2106-10. 4 p.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Subterranean termites are the most economically important wood-destroying insects in the U.S. Research efforts directed toward the management of subterranean termites are underway. During 2009, several Ohio field studies to assess the effectiveness of termite baits and soil treatments for controlling structural infestations of Reticulitermes flavipes. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the response of subterranean termites to a foam product used as a sealant in structures. Subterranean termites are highly susceptible to desiccation, and moisture is a critical factor in their survival. Consequently, water relations govern many facets of termite biology. Laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the physiological and behavioral mechanisms involved with water maintenance. Research was undertaken to investigate the physiological condition of the salivary reservoirs and termites' ability to conserve and transport water when exposed to moist and desiccating conditions. In order to confirm that termite alates do not mate in their natal nest or during a swarming event, histology and other techniques were used to assess reproductive features of Reticulitermes flavipes female and male imagos. Unflown alates, flown alates, and the primary pair in incipient and well-established (5-yr-old) colonies were studied. Since the late 1990s, bed bugs have begun making a comeback worldwide. Residents of many cities and towns in Ohio have been heavily impacted by bed bug infestations. These insect hitchhikers can be passively transported in luggage, clothing, bedding, and furniture. An educational outreach project for Ohio was undertaken that provided for the printing and distribution of bed bug awareness stickers and a pocket guide. I designed the stickers with the message "Bed Bugs: Do Not Take!!!", with wording in English and Spanish, to be affixed to discarded items thereby discouraging reuse of infested materials. Glen Needham and I developed the bed bug pocket guide, which serves as a pictorial guide to recognizing bed bugs and their signs on common items in human dwellings; the guide also provides details on integrated pest management strategies for bed bugs. Primarily through my involvement in two regional task forces and numerous workshops in Ohio, the pocket guide and awareness sticker were distributed to health departments, social service agencies, schools, public safety departments, municipal housing authorities, OSU Extension offices, etc. This project allowed for the printing and distribution of 22,000 awareness stickers and 17,500 pocket guides to important user groups at the local, county, and state level. Research results have been disseminated at state and national professional conferences for the purpose of advancing knowledge of insect biology and control. In 2009, in conjunction with students, I made a total of 4 research presentations at professional conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Susan C. Jones served as the PI on this project. Efficacy studies on termite baits, soil termiticides, and carpenter ant insecticide sprays were done in conjunction with several agricultural chemical companies and/or Ohio pest management companies. The Ohio Department of Agriculture was involved in projects that involved experimental use permits. Due to the high magnitude of bed bug infestations in Ohio, during 2009 I served on the steering committee of two regional bed bug task forces (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [JBBTF; Cincinnati metropolitan area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [COBBTF; Columbus metropolitan area]. The JBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among the Cincinnati Health Department, the Hamilton County Board of Health, and OSU Extension Entomology. The COBBTF is a collaborative endeavor among Local Governments; City and County Health Departments; Social Service Agencies; Pest Management Industry; Landlord and Tenants Rights Groups; Fire Departments; Ohio Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Health; and Ohio State University. I collaborated with the Ohio Department of Agriculture in their request to EPA for a Section 18 Emergency Exemption (memorandum dated 21 October 2009) for the use of three formulations of propoxur for the control of bed bugs in residential single or multiple unit dwellings, apartments, hotels, motels, office buildings, modes of transportation, and commercial industrial buildings in Ohio. I provided scientific expertise and a supporting letter for the Section 18 Emergency Exemption. Jayakrishnan Saimandir, a Research Associate in the OSU Department of Entomology [March-October 2009], and Nicola T. Gallagher, a Ph.D. student in the OSU Department of Entomology [2004 to date], participated in field trials to evaluate baits and soil termiticides for termite control. Jayakrishnan Saimandir and Benjamin R. Diehl, an undergraduate student in the OSU Department of Entomology, participated in field trials to evaluate insecticide spray applications against carpenter ants. Such involved advanced these three individual's professional development as urban entomologists. Nicola Gallagher received training on histological techniques for her Ph.D. research project investigating water maintenance in subterranean termites; Benjamin Diehl received training on the use of digital imaging equipment. Benjamin Diehl also conducted an undergraduate research project on bed bug dispersal in a high-rise apartment complex. Benjamin Diehl's involvement in these research projects advanced his preparations for planned graduate studies. TARGET AUDIENCES: Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs and termites, was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners, community groups, the pest management industry, home inspectors, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During 2009, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pesticide applicator recertification conferences, pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and workshops and seminars for health providers and homeowners. Bed bugs, which are an emerging pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S., were a major focus of many of these outreach efforts. In 2009, I made 29 presentations on integrated pest management strategies for bed bugs to various audiences, reaching a total of more than 4,000 individuals. I was interviewed by the news media on ~20 occasions regarding a variety of pest issues. The majority of these interviews pertained to bed bugs and included news stories that were featured on TV as well as in magazines and newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times on-line opinion forum, Orlando Sentinel, Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Akron Beacon Journal, The Other Paper (Columbus, OH), The Daily Record (Wooster, OH), The Post (Athens, OH), etc. My involvement in two bed bug task forces in Ohio was featured in an April 2009 article in Pest Control Technology, a trade journal whose target audience is the pest management industry. I provided numerous bed bug photographs, PowerPoint presentations, and written articles for the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force (COBBTF) web site, which was created in April 2009, and which has been widely accessed by the public. The goals of the COBBTF are to prevent bed bug infestations through education and to serve as an educational resource for those struggling with bed bug infestations. I received ODA pass-through grant funds from EPA Region V for distribution of a bed bug pocket guide and bed bug awareness sticker throughout Ohio. I oversaw the distribution of these educational materials to various local health departments, social service agencies, schools, public safety departments, municipal housing authorities, OSU Extension offices, etc. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone, e-mail, and personal contact regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on Ohio Line, the OSU Extension web site (http://ohioline.osu.edu). My fact sheets pertaining to spiders (and kin) rank among the most highly accessed fact sheets on this web site. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
OSU field studies on various termite bait systems indicated that Sentricon, Exterra, and Advance were efficacious in controlling structural infestations of termites, whereas the FirstLine termite bait system did not control termites within a 1-year period. Environmentally-friendly insecticides such as termite baits will provide alternatives to the broad-spectrum organophosphate termiticides that have been restricted by the Food Quality Protection Act. Efficacy data on commercially available bait products provide consumers with a variety of products to choose for termite control. In laboratory bioassays, the vast majority of subterranean termites died within approximately a week or less when exposed to a foam product used as a house air sealant, whereas control termites remained vigorous throughout the study period. The foam product appeared to have vapor toxicity as well as contact toxicity toward termites. Despite termite high mortality, surviving termites were able to cause some damage to the foam product, but this was relatively minor. Laboratory investigations revealed that termites use their salivary reservoirs to relocate water to dry resources; termites altered their food source to a moisture level of ~20% after only 36 hours. Follow-up studies are being conducted on caste variability in water transport. OSU studies of termite water maintenance provide further insights into how water is transported by termites, potentially leading to new termite control methods, either by directly manipulating the termites' ability to manage water or reinforcing the importance of a holistic approach to termite management. This research provides a framework for manipulating environmental factors essential for termite survival. A laboratory investigation of imaginal reproductive features revealed that the spermathecae of female flown alates were devoid of spermatozoa, confirming that mating does not take place in the natal nest. However, the spermathecal lumen contained a mucus-like substance, and histochemical tests revealed that this substance was intensely stained by periodic acid-Schiff, which is diagnostic for mucopolysaccharides. The secretion may serve as a sperm energy source as has been suggested for some other insects. Transmission electron microscopy subsequently revealed the presence of a semi-opaque secretory material in the spermathecal lumen and associated ductules of flown and unflown alates as well as queens. Unflown female alates showed the least reproductive development in terms of spermathecal diameter and terminal oocyte size. Unflown male alates similarly possessed less developed reproductive organs than the kings.

Publications

  • Ye Ye, Susan C. Jones, and El-Desouky Ammar. 2009. Reproductive characteristics of imagoes of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 102(5): 889-894.


Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Subterranean termites cause an estimated $2 billion per year for costs associated with their prevention and treatment, making them the most economically important wood-destroying insects in the United States. Research efforts directed toward the management of subterranean termites are in progress. During 2008, a field study to assess the effectiveness of the Exterra bait system in controlling structural infestations of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, was completed in central Ohio. Subterranean termites are highly susceptible to desiccation, and moisture is a critical factor in their survival. Consequently, water relations govern many facets of termite biology. Laboratory studies, some involving histological techniques, have been conducted to investigate the physiological and behavioral mechanisms involved with water maintenance in the eastern subterranean termite. Research is underway to investigate the ability of termites to conserve and transport water. The physiological condition of the salivary reservoirs when termites are exposed to moist and desiccating conditions is being studied. Research results have been disseminated at state and national professional conferences for the purpose of advancing knowledge of termite biology and control. In 2008, in conjunction with students, I made a total of 12 research presentations at professional conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Susan C. Jones served as the PI on this project. Termiticide efficacy studies were done in conjunction with a number of agricultural chemical companies and pest management companies in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Agriculture was involved in projects that involved experimental use permits. Nicola T. Gallagher, a Ph.D. student in the OSU Department of Entomology, participated in field trials to evaluate baits and soil termiticides for termite control, which advanced her professional development as an urban entomologist. Nicola Gallagher also received training on histological techniques for her Ph.D. research project investigating water maintenance in subterranean termites. TARGET AUDIENCES: Up-to-date information on prevention and control of household and structural insects, particularly bed bugs and termites, was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners, community groups, the pest management industry, home inspectors, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During 2008, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pesticide applicator recertification conferences, pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and seminars for health providers and homeowners. I made 18 presentations to various extension audiences and reached a total of approximately 2200 individuals. I was interviewed by the news media on 16 occasions regarding a variety of pest issues. Many of these interviews pertained to bed bugs, which are an emerging pest in communities throughout Ohio and the U.S. Due to the magnitude of bed bug infestations in Ohio, during 2008 I served on the steering committee of two regional bed bug task forces (Joint Bed Bug Task Force [Cincinnati and Hamilton County area] and Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force [Columbus area]. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone and e-mail regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on Ohio Line, the OSU Extension web site (http://ohioline.osu.edu). My fact sheets pertaining to spiders (and kin) rank among the most highly accessed fact sheets on this web site. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
OSU field studies on the Exterra bait system indicated that termites quickly infested Exterra monitoring stations at all six test structures, with the percentage of infested stations ranging from 9 to 69% after just one month. Termites subsequently consumed large amounts of Labyrinth AC termite bait. Termites were eliminated within 3 months at five of the six structures. Multiple colonies were present at one structure, so it took ~15 months until the structure was free of termites. No further evidence of termites was observed during a 1-year post-inspection period at the six structures. These field trials indicate that the Exterra system effectively controlled subterranean termites. Field data for other termite baits, including Sentricon and Advance, also have indicated that they are efficacious. Environmentally-friendly insecticides such as termite baits will provide alternatives to the broad-spectrum organophosphate termiticides that have been restricted by the Food Quality Protection Act. Efficacy data on commercially available bait products will provide consumers with a variety of products to choose for termite control. Our studies of termite water maintenance provide further insights into how water is transported by termites, potentially leading to new termite control methods, either by directly manipulating the termites' ability to manage water or reinforcing the importance of a holistic approach to termite management. This research will provide a framework for manipulating environmental factors essential for termite survival.

Publications

  • Jones, Susan C., and Nicola T. Gallagher. 2008. Efficacy of the Exterra system with Labyrinth AC termite bait in Ohio field trials, p. 44 (Abstract). In Susan C. Jones [ed.], Proceedings of the 2008 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Tulsa, OK, 18-21 May.
  • Jones, Susan C. [ed.]. 2008. Proceedings of the 2008 National Conference on Urban Entomology, 18-21 May 2008, Tulsa, OK. 144 p.
  • Jones, Susan C. 2008. Bug students of all ages, p. 29-30 (Abstract). In Susan C. Jones [ed.], Proceedings of the 2008 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Tulsa, OK, 18-21 May.
  • Gallagher, Nicola T., and Susan C. Jones. 2008. Termite-mediated alteration of food items, p. 18-19 (Abstract). In Susan C. Jones [ed.], Proceedings of the 2008 National Conference on Urban Entomology, Tulsa, OK, 18-21 May.


Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research efforts directed toward the management of subterranean termites are in progress. During 2007, a field study to assess the effectiveness of the Exterra system in controlling structural infestations of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, was monitored in central Ohio. The data show that termites quickly infested Exterra monitoring stations at all six test structures, with the percentage of infested stations ranging from 9 to 69% after just one month. Termites subsequently consumed large amounts of Labyrinth AC termite bait. At five of the six structures, termites were eliminated within 3 months and no further evidence of termites has been observed during a 1-year post-inspection period. Multiple colonies were present at one structure, so it took ~15 months until the structure was free of termites. These field trials indicate that the Exterra system effectively controlled subterranean termites. Field data for other termite baits, including Sentricon and Advance, also have indicated that they are efficacious. Laboratory studies using histological techniques also have been conducted to investigate termite reproductive biology. The multiple female neotenic reproductives found in laboratory colonies of R. flavipes were found to possess sperm in their spermathecae, providing conclusive evidence that they had mated. Sperm were detected in the testicular lobes of all male neotenics. No spermatozoa were observed in the spermatheca of immature termites, which served as controls for each colony. The spermathecae of female swarmers was devoid of spermatozoa, as expected, but the lumen was found to contain a mucus-like substance. Subsequent histochemical tests revealed that this substance was intensely stained by periodic acid-Schiff, which is diagnostic for mucopolysaccharides. This substance may serve as a sperm energy source as has been documented in some other insects. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Susan C. Jones served as the PI on this project. Termiticide efficacy studies were done in conjunction with a number of agricultural chemical companies and pest management companies in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Agriculture was involved in projects that involved experimental use permits. Nicola T. Gallagher, a Ph.D. student in the OSU Department of Entomology, participated in field trials to evaluate baits and soil termiticides for termite control, which advanced her professional development as an urban entomologist. This project also provided the opportunity to train a post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Farkhanda Manzoor Duggal (Lahore College for Women University, Pakistan), on termite control methods and materials used in the U.S. A Master's student in the OSU Department of Entomology, Ye Ye, received training on histological techniques for her research project investigating termite reproductive biology. TARGET AUDIENCES: Up-to-date information on termite prevention and control was communicated to diverse groups, including homeowners, community groups, the pest management industry, home inspectors, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During 2007, I presented information on urban pest issues through a variety of outlets such as pesticide applicator recertification conferences, pest management industry meetings, training sessions, and seminars for health providers and homeowners. In 2007, I made a total of 15 presentations to various audiences and reached a total of approximately 2500 individuals. I was interviewed by the news media on six occasions regarding a variety of pest issues. I answered hundreds of individual inquiries by phone and e-mail regarding diverse household and structural pest problems. Science-based information on household and structural arthropods was made widely available to the public via fact sheets and bulletins published on Ohio Line, the OSU Extension website (http://ohioline.osu.edu). For example, fact sheets pertaining to spiders (and kin) amassed more than 1.2 million hits on Ohio Line during 2007, with three (brown recluse spider; spiders in and around the house; black widow spider) ranking among the most highly accessed fact sheets. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Environmentally-friendly insecticides such as termite baits will provide alternatives to the broad-spectrum organophosphate termiticides that have been restricted by the Food Quality Protection Act. Efficacy data on commercially available bait products will provide consumers with a variety of products to choose for termite control. Our studies of termite reproductive biology provide further insights into how functional neotenic reproductives help ensure colony survival and enhance colony growth; management approaches are needed to target these reproductives.

Publications

  • Jenkins, Tracie M., Susan C. Jones, Chow-Yang Lee, Brian T. Forschler, Zhenbang Chen, Giancarlo Lopez-Martinez, Nicola T. Gallagher, Graham Brown, Michael Neal, Brian Thistleton, and Scott Kleinschmidt. 2007. Phylogeography illuminates maternal origins of exotic Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 42: 612-621.
  • Jordan, K. K., and Susan C. Jones. 2007. Invertebrate diversity in newly established mulch habitats in a Midwestern urban landscape. Urban Ecosystems 10(1): 87-95.