Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1.Evaluate the efficacy, longevity, and behavioral mode of action of soil insecticides applied for termite control under Pacific island conditions. 2. Evaluate the resistance of novel wood preservatives and composite wood products to termite attack in Hawaii. 3. Evaluate the efficacy and impact of baiting systems on termite colonies and populations in Hawaii. 4. Map the distribution of invasive termite species in Hawaii, and evaluate the impact of their comparative biology and behavior on control and further spread of these species. Approach (from AD-416) 1. Conduct field studies of efficacy and longevity of soil insecticides at field sites on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii. Evaluate transfer of nonrepellent insecticides in laboratory bioassays and colony- wide impact of these materials in field studies. 2. Evaluate the efficacy of novel wood preservatives, composite products, and naturally durable timbers in laboratory assays; and evaluate termite behavioral responses to these materials. Conduct field studies with materials demonstrated to be effective in the laboratory. 3. Determine the palatability and efficacy of bait toxicants under development for termite control in laboratory and field studies using marking techniques to identify individual termite colonies. 4. Identify termite field samples and conduct surveys as necessary to determine the distribution, and changes in the distribution, of species in Hawaii. Conduct laboratory evaluations of biology, feeding, behavior, and comparative response to control methods. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Results from a long-term study of soil termiticide efficacy at six locations on four of the Hawaiian Islands were reported to the members of the Hawaii Pest Control Association. Eight years after application, the nonrepellant insecticide fipronil still elicits virtually 100% termite mortality. Field studies were initiated with a new commercial termite bait product, and the wood preservative disodium octaborate tetrahydrate was found to be effective at preventing significant termite attack for at least 10 years in both Hawaii and southern Japan. Laboratory studies demonstrated that boron ingested by termites is passed to others in the colony, but also that termites can excrete or metabolize boron over time to recover from short-term exposure. Studies of termite tunneling indicated that termites cannot detect boron in wood, but learn to avoid it after brief exposure. In studies of potential biological control agents, a novel bacterium was identified from the gut of the Formosan subterranean termite, and the invasive little fire ant was found to be extremely aggressive towards the Formosan subterranean termite without eliciting a defensive reaction from the termite. Finally, we found that the presence of dead termites inhibits feeding by termites in the vicinity, possibly due to release of an antifeedant chemical factor. Accomplishments 1. Impact of termite disturbance on avoidance of baited sites: We conducted laboratory tests to determine the effects of disturbing termites on abandonment of feeding sites. We found that feeding was reduced by the presence of dead termites before termites began to avoid visiting the site, suggesting that a chemical factor given off by dead termites inhibits feeding. This discovery will help in developing improved methods of termite baiting for control purposes. Research addresses NP-104, Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology, and the Problem Statement associated with Action Plan Component 3: Biology and Physiology, specific goal 3.2 Neural, Sensory, and Reproductive Biology, and the Problem Statement associated with Action Plan Component 4: Control Technology, specific goal 4.1 Chemical Pesticides and Repellents. 2. Effects of boron on termites: We conducted laboratory studies to determine (1) whether termites feeding on boron-treated wood would pass the boron to other termites in the colony (horizontal transfer), and (2) whether termites could recover from exposure to boron-treated wood. We found that feeding termites do transfer a significant amount of boron to non-feeding members of the colony, but also that termites were able to either metabolize or excrete boron and recover from short-term exposures. Since boron wood treatments are the most widely-used lumber treatments in Hawaii, these results are valuable in determining the impact of these wood treatments on the overall termite problem in the islands. Research addresses NP-104, Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology, and the Problem Statement associated with Action Plan Component 4: Control Technology, specific goal 4.1 Chemical Pesticides and Repellents. Technology Transfer Number of Web Sites managed: 1 Number of Non-Peer Reviewed Presentations and Proceedings: 14 Number of Newspaper Articles,Presentations for NonScience Audiences: 4
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? This project is in alignment with NP-104, Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology. This cooperative project is initiated in response to the threat posed by invasive subterranean and drywood termite species in Hawaii and the American Pacific. Field surveys, using chemical and molecular diagnostic methods, will be employed to monitor termite species distribution in Hawaii. Field and laboratory studies will be performed to assess and improve preventative and remedial control techniques, including soil insecticides, baits, novel wood treatments, termite- resistant building materials, and potential biological control agents. The recent removal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) from use as a wood preservative in the United States adds urgency to these evaluations. The behavioral ecology of
the target insects, and their interactions with each other, will be evaluated to determine the most promising directions for development of new control techniques, and to define the mechanism of action of novel wood preservatives and nonrepellant baits and insecticides. Field studies and surveys build upon research performed under a previous cooperative agreement. Expected outcomes are the implementation of improved methods of termite prevention and control in the American Pacific, application of biological knowledge to develop new control methodology, and improved geographic risk assessment and ability to extend and apply appropriate recommendations for termite prevention and remedial control. The overall objective is to prevent, reduce, or eliminate losses from household and structural-arthropod pests, and to protect United States military forces and the general public, from blood-sucking, disease vector, and nuisance arthropods. Termites are serious pests of structures, living
plants, and of cellulosic materials and products. 2. List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) FY 2004 1. Establish field sites on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii to address the subsequent milestones. FY 2005 1. Determine longevity of reduced-risk termiticides. 2. Evaluate potential physical and chemical methods of control, including resistant building materials to reduce pesticide use. 3. Conduct spatially-based surveys of termite distributions in the Hawaiian Islands and other Pacific Basin locations. 4. Integrate biological, behavioral, and environmental variables to assist in development of decision-support algorithms. FY 2006: 1. Analyze data from field trials of soil insecticides and prepare a summary for publication of results to date. 2. Conduct laboratory evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials. 3. Assess use of termite feces as a method of identifying termite species. 4.
complete field surveys of east Hawaii Island. 5. Assess combined methods of detection and local chemical control of drywood termites as alternatives to use of toxic fumigants. 6. Measure the impact of objects in the soil environment on termite tunneling in search of food. FY 2007: 1. Sample and test for biological activity both repellent and non- repellent soil insecticides from six locations in the Hawaiian Islands. 2. Conduct laboratory evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials, and report results of tests to date. 3. Initiate field tests of novel bait systems. 4. Perform field test of commonly-used preservative treatments under environmental conditions in Hawaii. 5. Continue field surveys of termite distribution in the Hawaiian Islands. 6. Evaluate impact of handling termites on subsequent avoidance of baited sites. 7. Determine impact of preservative-treated wood on termite tunneling and feeding activities. 8. Initiate study of
mode of action of boric acid in termites and effect of salt form (cation) on efficacy of borate-based wood preservatives. FY 2008: 1. Analyze and report results of soil insecticide evaluations on four Hawaiian Islands. 2. Conduct laboratory evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials, and report results of tests to date. 3. Analyze and report results of field tests of novel bait systems. 4. Analyze and report results of long-term field study of preservative- treated wood under Hawaiian conditions. 5. Analyze, and report results of field surveys of termite distribution in the Hawaiian Islands. 6. Initiate on-going monitoring procedures for termite distribution. 7. Analyze and report results of study of borate mode of action and effects of cation on efficacy of borate wood treatments. FY 2009 1. Determine the mechanism of action of wood preservatives and other control methods, and their impact on termite behavior, 2. Initiate and continue
dynamic surveys of termite occurrence in the Hawaiian islands. 3. Pair site surveys with GPS to map current subterranean and drywood termite distributions and predict future occurrences. 4. Employ chemical, microbiological, and molecular genetic methods to determine the identity and relatedness of termite populations occurring in Hawaii. 4a List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Termites identified by fecal pellets. Scientists at the University of Hawaii, Manoa demonstrated that the fecal pellets pushed out of infested wood by drywood termites can be used to definitively identify the termite species responsible by chemical analysis. Since termites are notoriously cryptic, but fecal pellets are often abundant, this discovery will allow us to track the spread of newly invasive termite species in structures in Hawaii. 4b List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. Borate treatment protects wood from termites. Scientists at the University
of Hawaii, Manoa demonstrated long-term performance (at least 10 years in Japan, and 8 years in Hawaii) of borate-treated lumber against termite attack, found that termite colonies learn to avoid the locations of non-repellent borate-treated materials, and documented recovery via boron-depletion in individuals exposed to nonlethal borate doses. This accomplishment is in alignment with National Program 104 - Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology and supports Action Plan Goal: 4. 1 Chemical Pesticides and Repellents. Localized termite control difficult. Scientists at the University of Hawaii, Manoa demonstrated that it was very difficult to obtain sufficient control of localized drywood termites in naturally infested boards. Sodium borate caused greater mortality than imidacloprid, but complete control was not possible due to the numerous termite galleries present in infested wood. This accomplishment is in alignment with National Program 104 - Veterinary, Medical and Urban
Entomology and supports Action Plan Goal: 4.1 Chemical Pesticides and Repellents. Nematode biocontrol of termites. Scientists at the University of Hawaii, Manoa found that the two important subterranean termites in Hawaii show different susceptibility to nematode biological control agents, highlighting the need to understand the biology of each invasive species. This accomplishment is in alignment with National Program 104 - Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology and supports Action Plan Goal: 4. 2 Biological Control. Dead termites affect feeding. Scientists at the University of Hawaii, Manoa studied the impact of disturbance on termite feeding on baits. They demonstrated that the presence of dead termites does not deter termite exploration of the area, but does cause a decline in feeding activity. This accomplishment is in alignment with National Program 104 - Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology and supports Action Plan Goal: 4. 1 Chemical Pesticides and Repellents. 5.
Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. Predicted impacts of this project include development and use of more effective tools, including inspection tools, for termite management in the Pacific region; and reduced pesticide use due to increased emphasis on baits and low-toxicity wood treatments and physical barriers. During the first two years of this project, we have documented effective use of soil insecticides (fipronil), naturally-durable woods, and borate wood preservatives to prevent and control termites. We have identified termite foraging patterns and factors that could lessen the impact of baiting methods. Equally important, we have found that some suggested control methods are not efficacious, and in the case of nematode biological control agents have shown that a technique effective against one termite species is not necessarily effective against another. The durable woods that we identified are being used in building construction as
a result of our efforts, soil treatment and baiting methods are being modified by the local pest control industry to reflect our results. The method of identifying termite species from their fecal pellets that we discovered will have a significant positive impact on survey efforts for new invasive termites. These accomplishments are in alignment with National Program 104 - Veterinary, Medical and Urban Entomology and support Action Plan Goals: 2.1 Detection and Diagnostics; 2.2 Surveillance; 4.1 Chemical Pesticides and Repellents; and 4.2 Biological Control. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Results of laboratory and field studies were communicated to the local pest control industry; to peers at national and international conferences;
and to the public through the web (http://www.hawaii.edu/~entomol), news media and four public seminars. Results of our studies with construction materials (borate-treated and naturally durable wood species) have been used by local architects and construction firms. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Grace, J. K. 2006 (April). Termites vs CTAHR faculty and students. CTAHR Research News 2 (4): 4-6. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ctahr2001/Research/ResearchNews.html Kubota, L. 2006. Battling termites in swarming season. KGMB2 Television News. http://www.kgmb.com/kgmb/display.cfm?storyID=8376&sid=1237 Yates, J. R. III. 2006. Termite information seminar. Windward Community College, Kaneohe, Hawaii, May 2006, July 2006; Moanalua High School, Pearl City, Hawaii, June 2006; Mililani High School, Mililani, Hawaii, June 2006. Gentz, M. C. and
J. K. Grace. 2006. The response of the Formosan subterranean termite to different borate salts. Conference on Urban Entomology, Raleigh, North Carolina, May 2006. Grace, J. K. 2006. When invasives meet: Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes vastator in the Pacific. National Conference on Urban Entomology, Raleigh, North Carolina, May 2006. Grace, J.K., A. Byrne, P.I. Morris, and K.Tsunoda. 2006. Performance of borate-treated lumber after 8 years in an above-ground termite field test in Hawaii. International Research Group on Wood Protection. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG/WP 06-30390. 8 pp. Grace, J.K. and C.E. Campora. 2005. Food location and discrimination by subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Pp. 437-441 in Lee, C.-Y. and W.H. Robinson [eds.], Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Urban Pests, Executive Committee of the International Conference on Urban Pests, Singapore. Haverty, M.I., R.J. Woodrow, L.J. Nelson, and J.K. Grace. 2005. Identification of
termite species by the hydrocarbons in their feces. Journal of Chemical Ecology 31: 2119 - 2151. Kirschenbaum, R. and J. K. Grace. 2005. Behavioral interactions of Leptogenys falcigera and Camponotus variegates (Hymenoptera) with geographically co-occurring termite and ant species in Hawaii. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, December 2005. Kirschenbaum, R. and J. K. Grace. 2006. Agonistic interactions among invasive ant species in Hawaii. Annual Meeting of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, March 2006. Mankowski, M.E., H.K. Kaya, J.K. Grace and B. Sipes. 2005. Differential susceptibility of subterranean termite castes to entomopathogenic nematodes. Biocontrol Science and Technology 15: 367-377. Tsunoda, K., A. Byrne, P.I. Morris, and J.K. Grace. 2006. Performance of borate-treated lumber after 10 years in a protected, above-ground field test in Japan (final report). International Research Group on
Wood Protection. Stockholm, Sweden. IRG/WP 06-30395. 8 pp. Woodrow, R.J. and J.K. Grace. 2005. Efficacy of selected localized injectable chemical treatments against Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in naturally infested lumber. Pp. 337-341 in Lee, C.-Y. and W.H. Robinson [eds.], Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Urban Pests, Executive Committee of the International Conference on Urban Pests, Singapore. Woodrow, R. J. and J. K. Grace. 2005. Effects of stress on avoidance of food sources by the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, December 2005. Woodrow, R. J. and J. K. Grace. 2006. Stress effects on feeding of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Annual Meeting of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, March 2006. Yates, J. R. III. Update on
residential perimeter treatment trials in Hawaii with Thiamethoxam, Termidor and Premise. Annual Meeting of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, March 2006.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? This cooperative project was initiated in response to the threat posed by invasive subterranean and drywood termite species in Hawaii and the American Pacific. Field surveys, using chemical and molecular diagnostic methods, will be employed to monitor termite species distribution in Hawaii. Field and laboratory studies will be performed to assess and improve preventative and remedial control techniques, including soil insecticides, baits, novel wood treatments, termite-resistant building materials, and potential biological control agents. The recent removal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) from use as a wood preservative in the United States adds urgency to these evaluations. The behavioral ecology of the target insects, and their interactions with each other, will be evaluated to determine the
most promising directions for development of new control techniques, and to define the mechanism of action of novel wood preservatives and nonrepellant baits and insecticides. Field studies and surveys build upon research performed under a previous cooperative agreement. Expected outcomes are the implementation of improved methods of termite prevention and control in the American Pacific, application of biological knowledge to develop new control methodology, and improved geographic risk assessment and ability to extend and apply appropriate recommendations for termite prevention and remedial control. This project directly supports NP-104. The overall objective is to prevent, reduce, or eliminate losses from household and structural arthropod pests, and to protect United States military forces and the general public, from blood-sucking, disease vector, and nuisance arthropods. Research focuses on the termite component of NP104. Termites are serious pests of structures, living plants,
and of cellulosic materials and products. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. FY 2004 1. Establish field sites on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii to address the subsequent milestones. FY 2005 1. Determine longevity of reduced-risk termiticides. 2. Evaluate potential physical and chemical methods of control, including resistant building materials to reduce pesticide use. 3. Conduct spatially-based surveys of termite distributions in the Hawaiian Islands and other Pacific Basin locations. 4. Integrate biological, behavioral, and environmental variables to assist in development of decision-support algorithms. FY 2006 1. Analyze data from field trials of soil insecticides and prepare a summary for publication of results to date. 2. Conduct laboratory evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials. 3. Assess use of termite feces as a method of identifying termite species. 4. complete field surveys
of east Hawaii Island. 5. Assess combined methods of detection and local chemical control of drywood termites as alternatives to use of toxic fumigants. 6. Measure the impact of objects in the soil environment on termite tunneling in search of food. FY 2007 1. Sample and test for biological activity both repellent and non- repellent soil insecticides from six locations in the Hawaiian Islands. 2. Conduct laboratory evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials, and report results of tests to date. 3. Initiate field tests of novel bait systems. 4. Perform field test of commonly-used preservative treatments under environmental conditions in Hawaii. 5. Continue field surveys of termite distribution in the Hawaiian Islands. 6. Evaluate impact of handling termites on subsequent avoidance of baited sites. 7. Determine impact of preservative-treated wood on termite tunneling and feeding activities. 8. Initiate study of mode of action of boric
acid in termites and effect of salt form (cation) on efficacy of borate-based wood preservatives. FY 2008 1. Analyze and report results of soil insecticide evaluations on four Hawaiian Islands. 2. Conduct laboratory evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials, and report results of tests to date. 3. Analyze and report results of field tests of novel bait systems. 4. Analyze and report results of long-term field study of preservative- treated wood under Hawaiian conditions. 5. Analyze, and report results of field surveys of termite distribution in the Hawaiian Islands. 6. Initiate on-going monitoring procedures for termite distribution. 7. Analyze and report results of study of borate mode of action and effects of cation on efficacy of borate wood treatments. FY 2009 1. Determine the mechanism of action of wood preservatives and other control methods, and their impact on termite behavior, 2. Initiate and continue dynamic surveys of
termite occurrence in the Hawaiian islands. 3. Pair site surveys with GPS to map current subterranean and drywood termite distributions and predict future occurrences. 4. Employ chemical, microbiological, and molecular genetic methods to determine the identity and relatedness of termite populations occurring in Hawaii. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Determine longevity of reduced-risk termiticides. Milestone Substantially Met 2. Evaluate potential physical and chemical methods of control, including resistant building materials to reduce pesticide use. Milestone Substantially Met 3. Conduct spatially-based surveys of termite distributions in the Hawaiian Islands and other Pacific Basin locations. Milestone Substantially Met 4. Integrate biological, behavioral, and environmental variables to assist in development of decision-support
algorithms. Milestone Substantially Met 3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? FY 2006: 1. Analyze data from field trials of soil insecticides and prepare a summary for publication of results to date. 2. Conduct laboratory evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials. 3. Assess use of termite feces as a method of identifying termite species, and (2) complete field surveys of east Hawaii Island. 4. Assess combined methods of detection and local chemical control of drywood termites as alternatives to use of toxic fumigants. 5. Measure the impact of objects in the soil environment on termite tunneling in search of food. FY 2007: 1. Sample and test for biological activity both repellent and non- repellent soil insecticides from six locations in the Hawaiian Islands. 2. Conduct laboratory
evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials, and report results of tests to date. 3. Initiate field tests of novel bait systems. 4. Perform field test of commonly-used preservative treatments under environmental conditions in Hawaii. 5. Continue field surveys of termite distribution in the Hawaiian Islands. 6. Evaluate impact of handling termites on subsequent avoidance of baited sites. 7.Determine impact of preservative-treated wood on termite tunneling and feeding activities. 8. Initiate study of mode of action of boric acid in termites and effect of salt form (cation) on efficacy of borate-based wood preservatives. FY 2008: 1. Analyze and report results of soil insecticide evaluations on four Hawaiian Islands. 2. Conduct laboratory evaluations of termite resistance of engineered and preservative-treated building materials, and report results of tests to date. 3. Analyze and report results of field tests of novel bait systems. 4.
Analyze and report results of long-term field study of preservative- treated wood under Hawaiian conditions. 5. Analyze, and report results of field surveys of termite distribution in the Hawaiian Islands. 6. Initiate on-going monitoring procedures for termite distribution. 7. Analyze and report results of study of borate mode of action and effects of cation on efficacy of borate wood treatments. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? We demonstrated that rubberwood chipboard can be protected from termite attack by incorporation of relatively low-cost granular boric acid. This has the potential to expand wood preservation against termite attack in the Asian portion of the Pacific Basin. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. We found that the soil insecticide fipronil shows efficacy against termites for at least 5 years, with minor degradation apparent only under conditions of extreme rainfall. We also found that individual size of workers
within the termite colony is correlated with larger tunnel diameter, and greater branching patterns. This finding is of significance in developing improved methods of using baits to target termite colonies. Finally, we demonstrated that two tropical hardwoods are naturally resistant to termite attack, and that particle boards made from the agricultural fibers bagasse and hemp are not termite-resistant. These two hardwoods, bangkirai and merbau, have subsequently been approved for use in Hawaii and are gaining in popularity as options to the use of insecticidal wood preservatives. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This is the first year of this project, and accomplishments are as stated above. Predicted impacts include marketing and effective use of tools for termite management in the Pacific regions; focused inspection and quarantine efforts to contain termite spread; more effective area-wide termite
management strategies; and reduced pesticide use due to increased emphasis on baits and low-toxicity wood treatments and physical barriers. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Results of laboratory and field studies were communicated to the local pest control industry clientele, to the pest control industry in Asia through a trade journal, and to the public through cooperation with Cooperative Extension specialists in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Research results were also communicated to the public to facilitate effective pest management through our regularly maintained web site: http://www.hawaii.edu/entomol. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and
articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Husseneder, C. and J.K. Grace. 2004 (Sept/Oct). Termite gut bacteria as "Trojan horses" - a new approach to termite control. Clean Asia 11(5): 20.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? This cooperative project is initiated in response to the threat posed by invasive subterranean and drywood termite species in Hawaii and the American Pacific. Field surveys, using chemical and molecular diagnostic methods, will be employed to monitor termite species distribution in Hawaii. Field and laboratory studies will be performed to assess and improve preventative and remedial control techniques, including soil insecticides, baits, novel wood treatments, termite-resistant building materials, and potential biological control agents. The recent removal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) from use as a wood preservative in the United States adds urgency to these evaluations. The behavioral ecology of the target insects, and their interactions with each other, will be evaluated to determine the
most promising directions for development of new control techniques, and to define the mechanism of action of novel wood preservatives and nonrepellant baits and insecticides. Field studies and surveys build upon research performed under a previous cooperative agreement. Expected outcomes are the implementation of improved methods of termite prevention and control in the American Pacific, application of biological knowledge to develop new control methodology, and improved geographic risk assessment and ability to extend and apply appropriate recommendations for termite prevention and remedial control. This project directly supports NP104. The overall objective is to prevent, reduce, or eliminate losses from household and structural arthropod pests, and to protect United States military forces and the general public, from blood-sucking, disease vector, and nuisance arthropods. Research focuses on the termite component of NP104. Termites are serious pests of structures, living plants,
and of cellulosic materials and products. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. 1a. Field evaluations of soil insecticides, baits, physical barriers, and novel building products and treatments for such products will be performed at both established University field sites on four islands, and newly located sites. Both novel and published test methodologies will be employed, with the goal of promoting multi-institutional standardized techniques through industry associations such as ASTM and the American Wood-Preservers Association. 1b. Laboratory efficacy studies will be performed with novel control methods, emphasizing effective wood preservative treatments to replace chromated copper arsenate (CCA), and termite-resistant building materials. 1c. Termite intestinal symbionts will be identified as potential biological control agents or targets of control efforts. 1d. Laboratory studies will define the limitations of current microbial agents such as
nematodes in order to identify the most promising routes to improve efficacy of microbial agents against termites. 2a. Both laboratory and field studies will be employed to determine the factors impacting subterranean and drywood termite tunneling and aggregation. Published foraging arena methodology will be used, with modification as necessary. 2b. Interactions of termite species with each other, and with other organisms in their environment, will be defined in laboratory assays, in order to determine the factors limiting termite distribution in Hawaii and affecting foraging behavior. 2c. The mechanism of action of wood preservatives and other control methods, and their impact on termite behavior, will be assessed by comparison of the performance of exposed insects to the baseline behavioral information collected through objectives 3a and 3b. 3a. Initiate and continue dynamic surveys of termite occurrence in the Hawaiian islands. Site surveys are paired with GPS to map current
subterranean and drywood termite distributions and predict future occurrences. 3b. Employ chemical, microbiological, and molecular genetic methods to determine the identity and relatedness of termite populations occurring in Hawaii. 3. Milestones: A. Milestones addressed in FY 2004. This is a new project in FY 2004. Field sites were established on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii to address the milestones listed above. B. Milestones scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. Milestones 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, and 3b will be addressed in FY 2005. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Most significant: This is a new project. Establishment of field and laboratory methodology in order to address the milestones listed above were the most significant accomplishments. B. Other accomplishments: This new project builds upon research performed under a previous cooperative agreement. In that research, we established how Formosan subterranean
termites search for food (wood) in the soil; discovered a new invasive termite species in Hawaii and demonstrated how its behavior differs from that of established species; and demonstrated the efficacy and necessary dosages required of the soil insecticide fipronil, the bait noviflumuron, and the wood treatment sodium borate. D. Significant activities that support special target populations: None. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This is a new project in FY 2004. Predicted impacts include marketing and effective use of tools for termite management in the Pacific regions; focused inspection and quarantine efforts to contain termite spread; more effective area-wide termite management strategies; and reduced pesticide use due to increased emphasis on baits and low-toxicity wood treatments and physical barriers. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or
technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Results of laboratory and field studies were communicated to local pest control industry clientele, and to the public through cooperation with Cooperative Extension specialists in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Research results were also communicated to the public to facilitate effective pest management through our regularly maintained web site: http://www.hawaii.edu/entomol. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. Grace, J.K. 2004. Symposium on new products for termite control. Hawaii Pest Control Association Pacific Educational Conference, Honolulu, January 2004.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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