Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Determine factors contributing to infestation, distribution and spread of Formosan subterranean termites (FST) in South Mississippi and establish area-wide management of FST using products and baits as set forth by the technical committee. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Progress concluded with the 2008 Annual Report, but was not terminated because of financial management reasons. See 2008 Annual Report for last reported progress.
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Progress 09/20/03 to 09/20/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Determine factors contributing to infestation, distribution and spread of Formosan subterranean termites (FST) in South Mississippi and establish area-wide management of FST using products and baits as set forth by the technical committee. Approach (from AD-416) Selected infestation areas (around Poplarville and counties along the Mississippi Gulf coast) will be targeted for suppression through an area- wide strategy. Independent monitors (in-ground stations) will be used to determine a base line of termite activity and location prior to application of control measures. Once treatment has begun the in-ground stations will be monitored monthly, then bi-weekly until there is no longer any activity in the independent monitors and baited stations. Once termite activity has ceased, monitoring will continue for an additional 4 months. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Landscape mulches are extensively used in the U.S. and are growing as an ecological and nutritionally important factor in termite ecology and structural damage. Formosan Subterranean Termites(FST) spreading via mulching or mulch transportation has become a public concern, especially after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The technology for enhancing the termite resistance in tree-based mulches has been developed with biological control agents, which could provide a promising control strategy incorporated into an area-wide termite program. The current research contributes to mulch management technology in termite control. A choice test arena was designed to determine the repellence and mortality caused by commercial mulches treated with different concentrations of fungus against the FST. Each of 6 tree-based mulches (pine bark, pine straw, bald cypress, eucalyptus, water oak, and melaleuca) were coated with 6 conidial (a type of fungal spore), varying in concentrations. The foragers were repelled significantly by the fungal-treated mulch substrates; the proportion of termites on fungal-treated mulch was usually less than 20% during the 28 day test. By day 28, greater than 99% of the FST were killed in test arenas containing a chamber with treated mulch. The treated mulch significantly reduced consumption by 34-71%. The results indicate that repellence and virulence of this fungal spore should significantly reduce the suitability of these 6 mulches as a habitat for FST. The large-scale use of tree-based mulches in landscapes may inadvertently contribute to local establishment and growth of FST colonies. Our research investigated the nutritional ecology of incipient colonies of FST feeding on 7 commonly used tree-based, weathered and non- weathered landscape mulches (listed above). Incipient colonies of FST feeding on pine straw, either weathered or non-weathered, produced significantly more progeny over the course of 1 year than colonies feeding on the other mulches tested. The incipient colonies feeding on pine straw, eucalyptus, bald cypress, and water oak mulches had significantly greater survival rates after 360 days (53�77%) than colonies feeding on the other mulches tested (0�13%). Our findings suggest that different types of mulch substrates could significantly impact the nutritional ecology of the founding pairs and the successful establishment of incipient colonies during the swarming season. An extensive monitoring and survey program in Mississippi(MS) was conducted to investigate the distribution of FST. Termite swarms were captured in 12 counties with light traps and termite infestations were also documented in an additional 13 counties from data collected from the Pest Management Professional survey. Infestations of FST have been documented in urban, rural, and forested areas of MS. Most of the infestations of FST were geographically distributed along the coastal areas of south MS from Gulfport to Pascagoula. The greatest total number of alates captured in light traps was documented in Pearl River County. Progress in this project is monitored through Annual FST Technical Committee Meeetings, reports, routine phone calls.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Determine factors contributing to infestation, distribution and spread of Formosan subterranean termites (FST) in South Mississippi and establish area-wide management of FST using products and baits as set forth by the technical committee. Approach (from AD-416) Selected infestation areas (around Poplarville and counties along the Mississippi Gulf coast) will be targeted for suppression through an area- wide strategy. Independent monitors (in-ground stations) will be used to determine a base line of termite activity and location prior to application of control measures. Once treatment has begun the in-ground stations will be monitored monthly, then bi-weekly until there is no longer any activity in the independent monitors and baited stations. Once termite activity has ceased, monitoring will continue for an additional 4 months. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research progress conducted under Specific Cooperative Agreement between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experimental Station (MAFES). Additional details of research can be found in the report for the in- house project 6435-32000-011-00D, "Coordination of National Termite Management Program." The major objective of this project is to evaluate factors contributing to infestation and spread of FST in Mississippi (MS). During the 2006-2007 reporting year: The large scale use of tree-based mulches in landscapes may inadvertently contribute to local spreading of the Formosan Subterranean Termite (FST). We investigated the survival and colony development of incipient colonies of FST feeding on 7, weathered and non-weathered landscape mulches: pine bark, pine straw, bald cypress, cedar, water oak, eucalyptus, and melaleuca. Survival of incipient colonies of FST feeding on melaleuca, cedar, and pine bark was significantly reduced. Landscape mulches, particularly tree-based mulches, demonstrated an ecological risk in termite localized spreading. Tree- based mulches are a unique food source for termites because they have undergone some degree of decomposition processing by weather factors and some microorganisms which will generally enhance the food quality for termite colonies. Because of the resistant natures of melaleuca and cedar mulches tested they could be used in an area-wide termite Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to reduce the risk of termite re-infestations and spread. Research reports a promising improvement in resistant properties of tree-based landscape mulches against FST when mulch substrates were treated with a strain of the termite fungal pathogen. The laboratory results indicated that treated mulches could significantly suppress foraging termites and affect their tunneling and feeding behaviors. The extensive 5-year survey of the distribution of FST in MS was finished and the data were also analyzed. According to this program, 72 towns from 22 counties in south MS were monitored with a total of 3, 914 traps that catch alates during the swarming season. In addition, 259 licensed pest management professionals (PMPs) in MS, were surveyed to determine the locations of termite infestations treated. Most of the infestations of FST were geographically distributed along the coastal areas of south MS from Gulfport to Pascagoula. The greatest total number of alates captured in light traps was documented in Pearl River County. The number of documented counties with the evidence of large and widely dispersed swarms of FST in different ecological areas, and the increase in total annual alate captures from 2000�2003 suggest that this invasive termite species is now firmly established in Mississippi. Progress in this project is monitored through Annual FST Technical Committee Meeting, reports, regular meetings with cooperators, routine phone calls, and e- mail correspondences.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research progress conducted under Specific Cooperative Agreement between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experimental Station (MAFES). Additional details of research can be found in the report for the inhouse project 6435-32000-008-00D, Coordination of National Termite Management Program. During the 2005 - 2006 reporting year: Evaluating tree-based mulches to Formosan Subterranean Termite (FST) local spreading and damages: Although railway ties infested by Formosan Subterranean Termite (C. formosanus)are considered to be the number one factor contributing to long-distance spreading of termites, the use of wood mulch has long been suspected of contributing to local expansion of termite colonies by attracting breeding pairs of alates (winged forms) or foragers tunneling for food. Characterizing landscape mulches and the associated termite preferences and
nutritional ecology could provide a new and affordable termite management strategy to minimize the damage and spread of C. formosanus via mulching. Therefore, seven kinds of commercial landscape mulches (tree-based), pine straw, pine bark, bald cypress, cedar wood, water oak, eucalyptus and melaleuca wood were collected and evaluated by a choice test for preference and survival. In the choice test, pairs of C. formosanus males and females used mulches as shelters and as food resources. Test results indicated significant differences in mulch preferences. Among the mulches tested, the most preferred weathered mulch was melaleuca, with 39.1% of the total pairs, which was significantly higher than all the remaining mulches. However, the most preferred non- weathered mulch was eucalyptus with 36.6% and the melaleuca dropped to 4. 5% of the total as one of the least-preferred mulches. Weathering was a significant factor in the selection tree-based mulches by FST alates for habitat. The
termite survival rate of selecting pairs was greater in weather mulches than in non-weather mulches. We further investigated the survival of incipient colonies of C. formosanus feeding on seven, weathered and non-weathered landscape mulches: pine bark, pine straw, bald cypress, cedar, water oak, eucalyptus, and melaleuca. Survival of incipient colonies of C. formosanus feeding on melaleuca, cedar, and pine bark was very significantly reduced. These results suggest that mulch application and its management could significantly impact the termite nuptial pair's survival and the successful establishment of incipient colonies. Because of the resistant natures of melaleuca and cedar mulches tested they could be used in cultural control program to reduce the risk of termite infestations and spread. Developing the resistant mulches for a biologically based-cultural control: The use of termite pathogenic fungi as biological control agents against subterranean termites is an attractive
technology to enhance the resistant nature of some mulches. A pathogenic fungal agent (Metarhizium anisopliae), was selected because of its known repellency against termite foragers; this fungal isolate was evaluated for possible repellency against FST swarmers (winged forms) in a choice test in the laboratory. Results indicate that there was no significantly repellent effect on these swarmers and that they were vulnerable to becoming infested when they tunneled into the Metarhizium infested mulches. This research is still ongoing as of this report. FST colony structures and the possible movement patterns in south Mississippi (Sample Collection was impacted by Hurricane Katrina): Formosan subterranean termite has infested 25 counties as of 2005 in south Mississippi. In order to understand how Formosan Subterranean Termites (FST) are spreading in south Mississippi and their colony relationship with other adjacent states, a preliminary DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) analysis, with
USDA-ARS collaboration from the Stoneville Southern Insect Management Research Unit, was conducted for collections of FST samples including a New Orleans colony. Our preliminary results indicate that three colonies collected from Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi originated from New Orleans (130 miles away) and from along the railway at McNeill, MS (26 miles away). Based on these preliminary results, an extensive collection of FST from different geographic locations in south Mississippi and neighboring states, especially along with the railway down to New Orleans, LA, is ongoing to determine FST patterns of spread in Mississippi. Fifteen more FST colonies from different areas of Mississippi were collected as of this report.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research progress conducted under Specific Cooperative Agreement between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experimental Station (MAFES). Additional details can be found in the report for the parent project 6435- 32000-008-00D entitled, "Coordination of National Termite Management Program." In order to understand how Formosan Subterranean Termites (FST) are spreading in South Mississippi, a preliminary DNA(Deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis, with USDA-ARS collaboration from the Stoneville Southern Insect Management Research Unit, was conducted for limited collections of FST samples including a New Orleans colony. Our results indicate that three colonies collected from Stennis Space Center in South Mississippi originated from New Orleans (ca. 130 miles away) and from along the railway at McNeill, MS (ca. 26 miles away). Based on these preliminary results, an extensive
collection of FST from different geographic locations in South Mississippi and neighboring states, especially along with the railway down to New Orleans, LA, is ongoing for determining the possible FST patterns of movement in Mississippi. Mulch has long been suspected of contributing to the expansion of termite colonies by attracting breeding pairs of winged reproductive termites (alates). In order to research FST movement related to mulches, eight kinds of commercial mulches were collected and evaluated by a choice test and a mulch nutrition test. Nine hundred and sixty alates were released into eight different mulches to evaluate the most or least favored mulches. For each mulch collection, sixty pairs of male and female reproductives were prepared and each pair was put into a single dish with a powdered test mulch to evaluate incipient colony growth. Preliminary results indicated that some mulch had a negative impact on incipient colony growth and presented a significant
repellency against paired reproductives. Three-month weathered mulch and non-weathered mulch were compared for possible differences in repellency, colony growth, and mortality. This research will be concluded in the spring of 2006. In order to confirm some volatile chemical effects from each mulch material on termite incipient colonies, more than eight essential oil extracts from different mulch woods were evaluated for their biological effects on the incipient colony. This project is on-going. A pathogenic fungal isolate, Metarhizium anisopliae, was selected in terms of the highest repellency against termite foragers from our fungal collections; and with this fungal isolate, we evaluated its possible repellency against paired FST reproductives in laboratory conditions by using a choice test. Our results indicated that there was no repellent effect on paired reproductives from the concentrations of 3.33X105 to 3.05X109 spores/ml and all tested reproductives were vulnerable to
becoming infested via the treated sand when they tried to tunnel and set up incipient colonies. A further effort was also made to identify the growth and survival rate of an incipient colony on a powdered wood substrate treated with fungus at different doses. The preliminary data appear to show that this fungal isolate is promising as a potential control agent in suppression of the alate population during the swarming season of each year. As an alternative to soil termiticide treatments, Vetiver grass will be evaluated for its ability to protect wooden structures by acting as a physical barrier. For this purpose, a field trial designed as a choice test was initiated in 2005 at the MAFES McNeill research unit. A solid band of vetiver grass was established in each 8 by 8 square plot (1.5 deep) before inoculating with a termite forager colony. To gather data accurately, stainless steel mesh (40/30) was pre-constructed to line the bottom and sides of each test plot. This test will
validate the practice of using vetiver grass as a physical barrier. Another potential advantage of the vetiver grass application is that it might repel swarmers during the swarm season of each year. Effects of the vetiver grass roots on incipient colonies were also evaluated in our laboratory. Different amounts of wet vetiver grass roots were tested for their effects on colony repellency, growth, and mortality. In-ground monitoring to assess the feasibility of area-wide control strategies to reduce or eliminate populations of FST with existing chemical control agents and to evaluate the effectiveness of the SRRCs (Southern Regional Research Center) new bait matrix has been concluded. FST infestations were observed within the in-ground monitoring stations; but, in general, most of the stations were hit by native species of subterranean termites. In the fall of 2003, infested trees located in Harrison County were added to the study. Monitoring began in December of 2003 and baiting
began in January of 2004. The last inspection was made in May 2005 at which time FST activity was observed in only one station out of 218. Mapping of FST alate activity and movement at the Formosan Termite Field Research Facility in McNeill, MS, is ongoing.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? D. Progress Report: This report serves to document research conducted under Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experimental Station. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6435-32000-008- 00D, "Coordination of National Termite Management Program." In order to determine the extent and severity of Formosan Subterranean Termite (FST) in Mississippi, an annual survey of alate (winged termite) populations has been conducted since 2000. Weekly inspections of over 227 sticky traps in urban areas of three counties and the Mississippi State University (MSU) Coastal Research and Extension Center, South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station, and McNeill Research Unit were completed from mid-April through mid-June 2004. At Keesler Air Force Base in Harrison County, the military housing subdivisions known as Bay Ridge and
Oak Park are also the site of a study designed to eliminate FST colonies infesting living trees. These two areas are also the site of long-term area-wide management tests into the elimination or reduction of FST colonies. The sample sites in Jackson and Pearl River counties are also part of long-term area-wide management tests. The remaining survey areas are controls with the exception of McNeill, which is a separate study. The alate survey is used in conjunction with the area-wide tests to determine the efficacy of ARS termite bait matrix. The primary objective of the McNeill survey was to establish the extent and severity of FST infestations within the boundaries of the McNeil Research Unit prior to the full development of the Formosan Termite Field Research Facility funded by the MSU Forest Products Laboratory. The first flight of FST was captured during the week of May 10, 2004. Laboratory identification of over 6,459 FST alates (winged termites) has been completed. A
decrease in activity was observed in Bay Ridge and Poplarville since last year's alate season. At the McNeill unit, an estimated total of 1,305 FST alates, representing 100% of the alates captured, were captured during the months of May and June 2004; eighty- six percent of the 71 solar traps collected an average of 21 FST alates per trap. In-ground monitoring to assess the feasibility of using area-wide control strategies to reduce or eliminate populations of FST with existing chemical control agents and to evaluate the effectiveness of a new ARS termite bait matrix developed by ARS scientists at the Southern Regional Research Center, ARS scientists is on-going. Test sites are located in Keesler Air Force Base (KAFB) military housing subdivisions, Pascagoula, and Poplarville. To date, FST infestations have been observed within the in-ground monitoring stations; but, in general, most of the stations have been hit by native species of subterranean termites. At the KAFB test site,
between January and July 2004, 108 stations have been monitored of which 15% are baited. In March 2004, 900 grams of the new bait matrix were added to the six stations with active FST. In April, active FST were found in only one station and none have been seen since. Data is collected with barcode technology. Trees infested with Formosan termites have been included as a dynamic part of the area-wide management study. Alate monitoring from 2000 through 2003 has established that Formosan termites are present, but not limited to, the grounds of Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS, and that their numbers were increasing. An on-going exhaustive survey of the trees within Keesler has yielded 28 infested trees. In November 2003, 218 ground stations were installed. Monitoring began December 2003, and baiting began in March 2004, when 37% of the stations were active, of which 69% had FST activity. As of June 2004, only 16% of the active stations have visible FST activity.
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