BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT HOUSEHOLD AND STRUCTURAL INSECT PESTS.

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1008433
• Project Start Date: Nov 4, 2015
• Project End Date: Oct 31, 2020
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
200 D.W. BROOKS DR
ATHENS,GA 30602-5016

Performing Department
Entomology

Non Technical Summary
?Subterranean termites are important ecosystem engineers involved in the degradation of the wood biomass that accumulates in forest habitats (Jouquet et al. 2011, King et al 2013). Despite acknowlegement of their importance the contributions that termite populations make to the process of wood biomass degradation and soil nutrient cycles in southeastern forest is little known (Ulyshen and Wagner 2013). As is typical of the literature, Brune (2014) reviewed the efficiency at which termites digest lignocellulose but did not mention the nutritional content of the frass or the potential role of termites in micronutrient recycling. A better understanding of the ecological role played by termites can assist in developing IPM programs for subterranean termite management by justifying action thresholds (AT's) above the zero tolerance AT used in the current market.

Animal Health Component

80%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

80%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
721	3110	1060	100%

Knowledge Area
721 - Insects and Other Pests Affecting Humans;

Subject Of Investigation
3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

subterranean termites

ecology

biology

management

ipm interventions

Goals / Objectives
Subterranean termites are significant economic pests in Georgia and the entire United States. In Georgia, the annual costs of damage and control of termites was estimated to be slightly more than $120 million in 2001, the last year when an estimate was published (Suiter and Forschler 2003). That annual expenditure has certainly not diminished in the last 14 years. The amounts of pesticide used for termite control ranks at the top of pesticides applied around structures (Su and Scheffrahn 1998). There are perceptions and a growing public awareness associated with environmental health issues related to pesticide use in and around homes that are motivation for examination of alternative low-pesticide input strategies (Obendorf et al. 2006). The basic principles of integrated pest management (IPM) offer an alternative approach to reducing the amount of pesticides applied around homes for control of subterranean termites (Su and Scheffrahn 1998, Forschler 2011). A large part of developing effective, sustainable IPM interventions involves understanding the biology of the pest complex and therefore defining the role of subterranean termites in wood degradation under natural conditions is important (Jouquet et al 2011). The objectives of this research proposal are imperative for establishing decision criteria and designing intervention strategies for environmentally responsible management of subterranean termites.Objective 1. Examine the role of subterranean termite in the southeastern forests, as found in Georgia, related to soil nutrient cycles by investigating the mineral content of their frass.Objective 2. Evaluate the efficacy of selected interventions including but not limited to directed pesticide applications, insecticidal baits, landscape and construction alterations, physical barriers and moisture management in redirecting the foraging activity of subterranean termite populations with the goal of reducing pesticide use while ending infestation of structures.

Project Methods
Objective 1. Examine the role of subterranean termite in the southeastern forests, as found in Georgia, related to soil nutrient cycles by investigating the mineral content of their frass.Termites will be collected from field sites across the state of Georgia and placed in groups of 1000/plastic containers (Pioneer Plastics, Dixon, KY, measuring 18X6X12-cm) with approximately100 g of pinewood. After 6 weeks the frass that accumulates in the containers will be collected for analysis of selected elements along with a sample of the wood that was fed to that group. All termite frass and wood samples will be placed in 16.51cm x 17.46cm Press-N-Seal plastic bags, air-dried at room temperature for approximately one week, and stored until sample preparation. Frass samples will be examined under a dissecting microscope to remove extraneous materials such as fibrous wood particles and miscellaneous insect parts then crushed to a fine powder with mortar and pestle, weighed, placed in 7.62cm x 10.16 cm Press-N-Seal plastic bags, and labeled. Wood samples will be ground to a fine powder using a Wiley mill and analytical ball mill weighed, placed in 62cm x 10.16cm Press-N-Seal plastic bags, and labeled.All chemical analyses will conducted at the Chemical Analysis Laboratory, at the University of Georgia Center for Applied Isotope Studies. Percent carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen will be determined using a CHN analyzer. Samples will be dry ashed for ICP-OES, and concentrations (mg/kg) of the following nineteen mineral elements determined: Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Si, Sr, and Zn. The ICP-OES and CHN raw data organized by elements found in frass and pinewood with concentrations below the detection limit will be adjusted to a value of 1 mg/kg. If the resulting data are normally distributed, as determined by residual histograms and boxplots in SAS version 9.3, paired t-tests will be used to compare elemental concentrations between frass and wood. Otherwise, the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test will be used to compare median element concentrations of the frass and pinewood at a significance level of P <0.01. Objective 2. Evaluate the efficacy of selected interventions including but not limited to directed pesticide applications, insecticidal baits, landscape and construction alterations, physical barriers and moisture management in redirecting the foraging activity of subterranean termite populations with the goal of reducing pesticide use while ending infestation of structures.This demonstration project will be conducted in collaboration with the Physical Plant Division (PPD) on the main campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. The project involves conducting all termite management on the 145 primary structures situated on the 750-acre campus. PPD personnel will notify program staff when termite activity is noticed in or on any campus building and we will respond by conducting an inspection at the location of the reported sighting aimed at finding the point of entry. An action plan will be developed for each infestation based on the site-specific inspection results and interventions implemented in cooperation with PPD staff. Inspection reports will serve as a record of pertinent information including biological data such as termite species involved, site information such as construction type and landscape features as well as date of all actions from notification to inspection, treatment(s) and monitoring. Inspection reports will, over time, be amended to be a running journal of all program activity at each site organized by building and intervention. ?The data will be compiled over time to provide insights into the issues surrounding notification and identification of subterranean termite infestation of structures including seasonality of activity and pest species. Interventions will include soil termiticide applications, insecticide applications to elements of construction, landscape and building alterations, moisture management, physical barriers and insecticidal baits. Removal of termite infestations will be accessed using a combination of visual inspection, moisture meters and microwave motion detection (Termitrac ® T3i). Efficacy of the various interventions, alone or in combinations will be assessed using the criteria associated with both the ideological and methodological concepts (Greene and Briesch 2002). The observational data will be compared using SAS version 9.3 and Kruskal-Wallis tests at a significance level of P <0.01 to provide statistical validation of efficacy based on the aforementioned concepts.

Progress 11/04/15 to 10/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Foresters, ecologist, property owners, builders, architects, pest management professionals and students. Changes/Problems:The pandemic interrupted the conduct of field research and dissemination of information by students at meetings and training sessions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program graduated 4 Masters and 2 PhD students in Entomology, 3 undergraduate laboratory assistants and the PI served on advisory committees for 3 Masters and 2 PhD candidates. In addition, the program conducted numerous training sessions for pest management professionals and presented at scientific meetings at the state, regional, national and international levels. Forschler, B.T. 2015. IPM for managing termite infestation: Lessons from demonstration projects in the United States. International Conference of Applied Entomology - Ecology and Management of Forest, Urban and Medical Insects. (Taichung, Taiwan) Forschler, B.T. 2015. Public Health Pest Surveillance andManagement. PestWorld East (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) Forschler, B.T. 2015. Integrated Termite Management - The Science and Practice of Termite Control. PestWorld East (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) Forschler, B.T. 2015. Invasive Termites - a Global Challenge meets 21st Century Management Strategies. Federation of Asian & Oceania Pest Managers Association Annual Meeting. (Penang, Malaysia) Forschler, B.T. 2016. Termite control from an international perspective. International Congress of Entomology. (Orlando, Florida) Forschler, B.T. 2018. Termite and Ant control. Seminar for Ecuadorian Public Health Officials. (Guayaquil, Ecuador) Chen, Y.-A. and B.T. Forschler. 2015. If the frass does not fall, is it important to the forest? Entomol. Soc. Am. National Mtg. (Minneapolis MN) Nguyen, T. and B.T. Forschler. 2015. Comparing surveillance tactics for adult mosquitoes. Entomol. Soc. Am. National Mtg. (Minneapolis MN) Forschler, B.T. 2016. New advances in termite biology behavior and implication for better termite control. National Pest Management Association Annual Meeting. (Seattle, Washington) Forschler, B. T. 2016. Backyard mosquito control: the science behind the service. National Pest Management Association Annual Meeting. (Seattle, Washington) Forschler, B.T. 2016. The conundrum of meaningful action thresholds in urban entomology. National Conference on Urban Entomology. (Albuquerque, New Mexico) Forschler, B.T. and T. Nguyen. 2016. Best Management Practices for backyard mosquito control by pest management professionals. American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting (Savannah, Georgia) Forschler, B.T. 2018. Arnold Mallis a 20th century urban entomologist and how the next generation can honor his legacy in the 21st. The Arnold Mallis Memorial Award Lecture, The National Conference on Urban Entomology Meeting. (Raleigh, North Carolina) Forschler, B.T. 2018. Soil termiticide barriers work as oral toxins. The National Conference on Urban Entomology (Raleigh, North Carolina) Forschler, B.T. 2018. Subterranean termite infestation rates on the University of Georgia, Athens GA campus. Entomol. Soc. Am. National Mtg. (Vancouver, BC) Johnson A.F. and B.T. Forschler. 2018. The distribution of Reticulitermes subterranean termites in the state of Georgia. Entomol. Soc. Am. National Mtg. (Vancouver, BC) Myer A. and B.T. Forschler. 2018. Termite carbon-cycling in flux vessels: Can FACE-wood be used as a stable isotope tracer? Entomol. Soc. Am. National Mtg. (Vancouver, BC) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The program published in scientific journals, industry publications and bulletins while conducting training sessions for industry and attending scientific meetings to present research results. 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 program concluded a 20-year demonstration project on termite control on the University of Georgia Athens campus and is currently compiling the results. Additional research on managing mosquito, ant and termite pests illustrated the importance of calibrating equipment used to pesticide application, involvement of property owners in urban pest IPM programs, and provided insights into product efficacy.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lee, T. and B.T. Forschler. 2015. Wood Preference of Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) using No-, Two-, and Four-Choice Designs and Seven Different Measures of Wood Consumption. J. Econ. Entomol. 109: 1-7 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov391
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chen, Y.-A. and B.T. Forschler. 2016. Elemental concentrations in the frass of saproxylic insects suggest a role in micronutrient cycling. Ecosphere 7(3): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1300
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lewis, J.L. and B.T. Forschler. 2016. Transfer of Five Commercial Termite Bait Formulations Containing Benzoylphenyl Urea Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors within groups of the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae). International Journal of Pest Management. DOI:10.1080/09670874.2016.1241911
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Myer, A. and B.T. Forschler. 2019. Evidence for the role of subterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.) in temperate forest soil nutrient cycling. Ecosphere. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-018-0291-8
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Evans, T.A., B.T. Forschler and C.C. Trettin. 2019. Not just urban: the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is invading forests in the Southeastern USA. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-018-1899-5
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Poinar, G.O., A. Myer and B.T. Forschler. 2019. Mermithid nematode parasites of eastern subterranean termites in North America. Nematology. 0: 1-3 http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685411-00003298 E-ISSN: 1568-5545
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Forschler, B., D. Suiter, D. Lastinger, and J. Wren. 2016. Integrated Pest Management for Georgia Schools and Child Care Facilities. http://www.agr.georgia.gov/Data/Sites/1/media/ag_plantindustry/structural_pest_control/files/Integrated-Pest-Management-for-Schools-and-Child-Care-Facilities.pdf
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Williams, F., and B.T. Forschler. 2019. The importance of calibration. PCT October edition 2019. Pp. 96-100, 102-104, 108-110, 196. https://www.pctonline.com/article/the-importance-of-calibration/
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Forschler, B.T. 2019. Keynote speaker: Importance of pest management on sustainable future of the urban ecosystem. Annual meeting for Japanese Pest Control Association. (Toyama, Japan)
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Thuy-Vi Thi Nguyen, K. Mayes, B. Forschler. 2018. Product application + IPM = Control. PCT July edition 2018. https://www.pctonline.com/article/product-application--ipm--control/

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Academics Property owners Pest management professionals Federal and State regualtory officials Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One publication titled; Forschler, B., D. Suiter, D. Lastinger, and J. Wren. 2016. Integrated Pest Management for Georgia Schools and Child Care Facilities. http://agr.georgia.gov/Data/Sites/1/media/ag_plantindustry/structural_pest_control/files/Integrated-Pest-Management-for-Schools-and-Child-Care-Facilities.pdf and several training classes including; Forschler, B.T. 2016. Termite control from an international perspective. International Congress of Entomology. (Orlando, Florida) Forschler, B.T. 2018. Termite and Ant control. Seminar for Ecuadorian Public Health Officials. (Guayaquil, Ecuador) Forschler, B. T. 2016. Backyard mosquito control: the science behind the service. National Pest Management Association Annual Meeting. (Seattle, Wahsington) Forschler, B.T. 2016. The conundrum of meaningful action thresholds in urban entomology. National Conference on Urban Entomology. (Albuquerque, New Mexico) Forschler, B.T. and T. Nguyen. 2016. Best Management Practices for backyard mosquito control by pest management professionals. American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting (Savannah, Georgia. Forschler, B.T. 2018. Arnold Mallis a 20th century urban entomologist and how the next generation can honor his legacy in the 21st. The Arnold Mallis Memorial Award Lecture, The National Conference on Urban Entomology Meeting. (Raleigh, North Carolina) Forschler, B.T. 2018. Soil termiticide barriers work as oral toxins. The National Conference on Urban Entomology Meeting. (Raleigh, North Carolina) Forschler, B.T. 2018. Subterranean termite infestation rates on the University of Georgia, Athens GA campus. Entomol. Soc. Am. National Mtg. (Vancouver, BC) Johnson A.F. and B.T. Forschler. 2018. The distribution of Reticulitermes subterranean termites in the state of Georgia. Entomol. Soc. Am. National Mtg. (Vancouver, BC) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Popular Press articles such as; Williams, F., and B.T. Forschler. 2019. The importance of calibration. PCT October edition 2019. Pp. 96-100, 102-104, 108-110, 196. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A publicationMyer, A. and B.T. Forschler. 2018. Evidence for the role of subterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.) in temperate forest soil nutrient cycling. Ecosystems.(https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-018-0291-8)

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Myer, A. and B.T. Forschler. 2018. Evidence for the role of subterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.) in temperate forest soil nutrient cycling. Ecosystems. (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-018-0291-8)

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Subterranean termite frass has been shown to provide higher concentrations of 15 elementsfound in wood compared to other saproxylic insects namely dampwood termites (Zootermopsis) that had 10, powder post beetles (Ptinidae) with 5,drywood termites (Incisitermes) 4 and the old house borer (Hylotrupes) with 1. These elemental data indicate that saproxylic insects are recycling micronutrients in wood with subterranean termites providing the greatest potential contribution to soil nutirent cycles. A closer examination of subterranean termite frass showed that their frass isa semi-viscous droplet that is separate from their construction materials which are often included in discussions of termite contributions to soil nutrient cycles. Examination of the micronutrient concentrations in wood, frass, shelter tubes and soil showed that subterranean termites deposit lowerconcentrations of Fe and Cr in their frass than found in wood. Subterranean termite construction of shelter tubes from soil decreased levels of Al, Ba, Co and Cr found in soils while increasing concentrations of C and Ca. The data show that subterranean termites recycle the carbon found in dead wood to soil nutrient pools in addition to calcium. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been published in the scientific literature. Chen, Y-A and B.T. Forschler. 2016. Elemental concnetrations in the frass of saproylic insects suggests a role in micronutrient cycling. Ecosphere 7(3): 1-13. 7:(3)e01300. 10.1002/ecs2.1300 A. Myer and B.T. Forschler. 2018. Evidence for the role of subterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.) in terperate forest soil nutirent cycling. Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-018-0291-8 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?continue publishing results

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Demonstrated a role for saproxylic insects in forest soil nutrient cycles.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chen, Y.-A. and B.T. Forschler. 2016. Elemental concentrations in the frass of saproxylic insects suggest a role in micronutrient cycling. Ecosphere 7(3): 1-13. 7:(3):e01300. 10.1002/ecs2.1300

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Academic scientist, homeowners, regualtory officials. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? It was determined that use of termite baits requires applications that include chitin synthesis inhibitors and that with the exception of diflubenzuron (which is registered at a lower application rate than other A.I.'s) and lufenuron (which is registred but not being marketed) can be effective active ingredients for commercial applications.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kakuro Kanno, Taketo Kawabata, Yoshihiro Ishikawa, Junichiro Katayama, Motokazu Hirao, Yuichiro Tabaru, Mamoru Watanabe, Kenichi Kumon, Hideakira Tsuji, Koujiro Tanaka, Keichi Saito, Tsuyoshi Yoshimura, Brian Forschler, Vernard Lewis, and Chow-Yang Lee. 2016. Area-wide fly management in the tsunami-affected zones of Tohoku region, Japan. International Pest Control. 58(1): 26-33. J.L. Lewis and B.T. Forschler. 2016. Transfer of Five Commercial Termite Bait Formulations Containing Benzoylphenyl Urea Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors within groups of the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae). International Journal of Pest Management. DOI:10.1080/09670874.2016.1241911

Progress 11/04/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Field demonstration projects on subterranean and drywood termite managment continue to show that control can be achieved with reduced pesticide inputs if interventions are site specific and address critical aspects of termite biology such as moisture management and reducing wood palatibility with surface treatments of borates for subterranean and drywood termites, respectively. Work on backpack misting for backyard mosquito control in the Georgia Piedmont has illustrated the importance of larval breeding site reduction in obtaining a sustainable reduction in mosquito numbers. The potential role of subterranean termites in temperate forest ecosystems was illustrated by examining the elements found in wood to the frass produced by the termites showing that termite concentrate most of the elements found in dead wood especially carbon and calcium at concentrations much higher than found in Piedmont soils. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students have been involved in the demonstration projects and this involvment includes training on observations, record keeping and organizational skills. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to complile action treshold data on subterranean and drywood termite infestations as well as further examine the role of subterranean termites in soil nutrient cycles through experimentation aimed at possilbe routes of nutrient return to the soil.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: A publication was completed that indicated subterranean termites concentrate a majority of the micronutrients present in dead wood. Objecitive 2: The ongoing work has been agumented by more data on the efficacy of low pesticide input interventions and that work is continuing, now in the 17th year.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Cehn, Y-A and B.T. Forschler. 2016. Elemental concentrations in the frass of saproxylic insects suggest a role in micronutrient cycling. Ecosphere 7(3):1-13.