This thesis evaluated the attractancy and mortality of Metarhizium anisopliae on two species of subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. There were four specific objectives developed for this research. The first objective was to determine if R. flavipes or C. formosanus were attracted to the mycelium mat matrix of M. anisopliae cultured on rice or corn. The second objective was to determine the tunneling distances of R. flavipes and C. formosanus when exposed to aged strains of M. anisopliae. The third objective was to determine if the fungus caused mortality to populations of R. flavipes or C. formosanus in glass tube bioassays. The fourth objective was to determine if R. flavipes termites are attracted to an ethanol extract of mycelium of M. anisopliae (X-5) or a commercial preferred feeding product (Summon??), and to estimate the percent consumption of the cellulose matrix. The extract and the Summon?? disks were tested in the laboratory using glass plate bioassays, and in the field using commercial termite monitors containing each of the treatments individually. The results with attractancy and mortality varied with age and generation of M. anisopliae mycelia, but all treatments were more attractive and caused more mortality than the controls. When presented with choices, both R. flavipes and C. formosanus did show preference to both the mycelium and the extract forms of M. anisopliae. The 1:1000 dilution of M. anisopliae extract (X-5) was strongly preferred over the other treatments, and all of the dilutions were preferred over the Summon?? and ethanol (40%) treated disks in the laboratory. An analysis of the consumption of test cellulose matrix showed that Summon?? did not attract termites, but it was a phagostimulant. When the undiluted ethanol extract of M. anisopliae was tested in the field, there were more termite visits to the ethanol extract of M. anisopliae (X-5) treated monitors stations, and the fewest termite visits were observed in the monitors containing the untreated fiber pulp disks.

This thesis evaluated the attractancy and mortality of Metarhizium anisopliae on two species of subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. There were four specific objectives developed for this research. The first objective was to determine if R. flavipes or C. formosanus were attracted to the mycelium mat matrix of M. anisopliae cultured on rice or corn. The second objective was to determine the tunneling distances of R. flavipes and C. formosanus when exposed to aged strains of M. anisopliae. The third objective was to determine if the fungus caused mortality to populations of R. flavipes or C. formosanus in glass tube bioassays. The fourth objective was to determine if R. flavipes termites are attracted to an ethanol extract of mycelium of M. anisopliae (X-5) or a commercial preferred feeding product (Summon??), and to estimate the percent consumption of the cellulose matrix. The extract and the Summon?? disks were tested in the laboratory using glass plate bioassays, and in the field using commercial termite monitors containing each of the treatments individually. The results with attractancy and mortality varied with age and generation of M. anisopliae mycelia, but all treatments were more attractive and caused more mortality than the controls. When presented with choices, both R. flavipes and C. formosanus did show preference to both the mycelium and the extract forms of M. anisopliae. The 1:1000 dilution of M. anisopliae extract (X-5) was strongly preferred over the other treatments, and all of the dilutions were preferred over the Summon?? and ethanol (40%) treated disks in the laboratory. An analysis of the consumption of test cellulose matrix showed that Summon?? did not attract termites, but it was a phagostimulant. When the undiluted ethanol extract of M. anisopliae was tested in the field, there were more termite visits to the ethanol extract of M. anisopliae (X-5) treated monitors stations, and the fewest termite visits were observed in the monitors containing the untreated fiber pulp disks.

Commercial termite baiting systems were utilized and evaluated under real-world conditions in order to provide a comparison of efficacy in the management of subterranean termites. Three commercial termite baiting systems available for comparison included: FirstLine® (FMC Corp.), Sentricon® (Dow AgroSciences), and Terminate® (United Industries, Inc). The time required for foraging termites to locate and begin feeding on both the Sentricon® and the Terminate® bait stations was approximately one-half the time required to locate and begin feeding on the FirstLine® system, for both R. flavipes and C. formosanus. The time required for C. formosanus to locate and begin feeding on all termite baiting systems was approximately one-half the time required for R. flavipes. There were no significant differences in efficacy between the three baiting treatment systems against R. flavipes, with a mean of 84% efficacy for all systems. The Sentricon® system was able to achieve efficacy (88%) results with few additional residual liquid termiticide treatments. FirstLine® efficacy (80%) and Terminate® efficacy (84%) results required initial and subsequent multiple spot treatments with residual termiticide for comparable results. The Sentricon® baiting system yielded positive results in the management of C. formosanus, if utilized in an aggressive, active management program, involving multiple supplementary in-ground and above-ground bait stations at both points of active infestation and at areas with conditions conducive to infestation. Optimum results were achieved when monitoring of the bait stations occurred twice each month, rather than the standard monthly monitoring regime. The two termite baiting systems with Sulfluramid as the active ingredient required spot treatments with termiticides in order to protect the structures. Grids of bait stations were installed and termite activity and foraging strategies were monitored for a five-year period. Treatment with sulfluramid required 472 active ingredient tubes, over a 37-month period, in order to reduce subterranean termite populations. Observations of seasonal variation and spatial patterns of foraging by native subterranean termites, R. flavipes, in a typical urban/suburban setting provided information with direct application to an effective termite baiting system program.

Commercial termite baiting systems were utilized and evaluated under real-world conditions in order to provide a comparison of efficacy in the management of subterranean termites. Three commercial termite baiting systems available for comparison included: FirstLine® (FMC Corp.), Sentricon® (Dow AgroSciences), and Terminate® (United Industries, Inc). The time required for foraging termites to locate and begin feeding on both the Sentricon® and the Terminate® bait stations was approximately one-half the time required to locate and begin feeding on the FirstLine® system, for both R. flavipes and C. formosanus. The time required for C. formosanus to locate and begin feeding on all termite baiting systems was approximately one-half the time required for R. flavipes. There were no significant differences in efficacy between the three baiting treatment systems against R. flavipes, with a mean of 84% efficacy for all systems. The Sentricon® system was able to achieve efficacy (88%) results with few additional residual liquid termiticide treatments. FirstLine® efficacy (80%) and Terminate® efficacy (84%) results required initial and subsequent multiple spot treatments with residual termiticide for comparable results. The Sentricon® baiting system yielded positive results in the management of C. formosanus, if utilized in an aggressive, active management program, involving multiple supplementary in-ground and above-ground bait stations at both points of active infestation and at areas with conditions conducive to infestation. Optimum results were achieved when monitoring of the bait stations occurred twice each month, rather than the standard monthly monitoring regime. The two termite baiting systems with Sulfluramid as the active ingredient required spot treatments with termiticides in order to protect the structures. Grids of bait stations were installed and termite activity and foraging strategies were monitored for a five-year period. Treatment with sulfluramid required 472 active ingredient tubes, over a 37-month period, in order to reduce subterranean termite populations. Observations of seasonal variation and spatial patterns of foraging by native subterranean termites, R. flavipes, in a typical urban/suburban setting provided information with direct application to an effective termite baiting system program.

This dissertation defines electromagnetic properties that are responsible for directing subterranean termite foraging behavior. Research identified specific frequencies and intensities that can attract Coptotermes formosanus Shiraiki and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) to the site where the electrical fields are generated and defined on repellant freuency and intensity for C. formosanus. US Patent Docket Number 2343-215 PCT and MSU disclosure 05-0606-163 were filed based on the results. Data showed that frequencies and intensities were different for attracting the two species. Future work will address new alternatives for addressing termite infestations that will reduce and change the amounts and use of current termiticides.