In one study described herein, 20 privately owned structures were treated with a 0.05% application of imidacloprid (Premise 75 WSP) in order to control infestations of subterranean termites. All applications were made at 15 L per 3.05 linear m per 0.30 m of depth. Ten structures were infested with Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and ten structures were infested with Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. All structures were inspected through 42 months post-treatment. Only one structure infested with R. flavipes required post-treatment action. Six structures infested with C. formosanus required post-treatment action. In another study, efficacy data were gathered on Premise Granules when broadcast over an open field and when utilized as a "spot treatment" for control of subterranean termites infesting structures. Open field grids with active R. flavipes were utilized in this study. Grids measuring 8.53 m x 7.32 m were marked off, in-ground commercial termite monitors were installed, and grids were treated with Premise Granules. Untreated southern yellow pine surface boards were then placed in grids to determine if Premise Granules would suppress foraging and feeding on surface boards. Premise Granules did suppress surface feeding of R. flavipes for 9 months post-treatment, although termites were active throughout the study in in-ground commercial termite monitors within treated grids. In a third study, 10 structures built on monolithic slabs, five received a "spot treatment" with Premise Granules at points of subterranean termite infestation 0.61 m either side of active exterior subterranean termite mud tubes. Structures were inspected through 12 mo post-treatment. Suppression of R. flavipes was sustained for 8 wks in all treatment replications following application of granules, with failures at 8, 12, and 28 weeks post-treatment. A laboratory trial was initiated to simulate field treatments with Premise 75 WP 0.10 % AI imidacloprid for treatments of structures. The focus of this research was to investigate the dissipation and translocation of imidacloprid in urban environments. Treated sandy loam soil was added to 19-L buckets. Four different plant species commonly found in urban environments were planted in buckets. Results in these trials indicate that imidacloprid was soluble and that there is leaching.

Resumo: O cupim exótico Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann, 1896) é a principal praga responsável por danos econômicos nas áreas urbanas da região sudeste do Brasil. No presente estudo foram realizados testes laboratoriais e de campo para avaliar a eficiência dos ingredientes ativos sulfluramida, hidrametilnona, ácido bórico, fipronil, piriproxifen e ciromazina para uso em iscas de controle desse cupim. Inicialmente, foram realizados experimentos em placas de Petri com o objetivo de selecionar as melhores concentrações de baixa toxicidade e que não fossem repelentes ou inibissem a alimentação dos cupins. As concentrações selecionadas foram usadas em uma segunda etapa de testes, nos quais foram utilizados um número maior de cupins. Os experimentos laboratoriais permitiram a seleção das seguintes concentrações para testes em campo: 0,01 ppm de sulfluramida; 200 ppm de hidrametilnona; entre 12.500 e 15.000 ppm de ciromazina; entre 1.000 e 12.500 ppm de piriproxifen; entre 3.000 e 2.000 ppm de ácido bórico. Somente, o ingrediente ativo fipronil não se mostrou adequado para uso em isca, devido à alta mortalidade obtida em todos os experimentos. Previamente aos testes de campo, foram estimados os territórios e as populações forrageiras das colônias de C. gestroi das áreas escolhidas. Os resultados de campo obtidos para C. gestroi nas áreas I (P.S.), II (L.U.) e III (S.O.R.) mostraram que não ocorreu nenhuma repelência ou inibição do consumo do papelão impregnado com os princípios ativos sulfluramida à 0,1 ppm, hidrametilnona à 400 ppm e ciromazina à 15.000 ppm. Contudo, o número de iscas e as concentrações utilizadas destes produtos não foram suficientes para eliminar nenhuma das colônias estudadas. Os resultados também sugerem que, em colônias naturais, as diferentes fontes alimentares exploradas pelos cupins subterrâneos e a competição... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann, 1896) is a pest of major economic importance in the urban environments of southeastern Brazil. In this study, we performed laboratory and field experiments to evaluate the efficacy of sulfluramid, hydramethylnon, boric acid, fipronil, pyriproxyfen and cyromazine as active ingredients in bait. In the first experiment, we tested different concentrations of these active ingredients in Petri dishes, searching for the best slow-acting and non-repellent concentrations for this termite. Concentrations selected from the initial experiment were used in a second laboratory experiment using a large number of individuals. From the results of this second experiment we selected the following concentrations to be fieldtested: 0.01 ppm of sulfluramid; 200 ppm of hydramethylnon; between 12,500 and 15,000 ppm of cyromazine; between 1,000 and 12,500 ppm of pyriproxyfen; between 3,000 and 2,000 ppm of boric acid. The data displayed a fast mortality of termites exposed to fipronil, even in small concentrations, therefore demonstrating that it is not a suitable chemical to be used in baits against C. gestroi. For field experiments, we estimated population and territory size from three colonies of C. gestroi present at the experimental site. Field results showed no repellence for site I (P.S.), II (L.U.) and III (S.O.R.) using sulfluramid 0.1 ppm, hydramethylnon 400 ppm, and cyromazine 15,000 ppm. However, the number of baited used at the selected concentrations were not sufficient to totally eliminate the colonies. This result suggests that, in natural colonies of subterranean termites, different food resources and competition, in this case with the native species Heterotermes tenuis, could influence the success of the control programs. / Orientador: Ana Maria Costa Leonardo / Coorientador: Odair Correa Bueno / Banca: Maria Santina de Castro Morini / Banca: José Eduardo Marcondes de Almeida / Banca: Ana Eugenia de C. Campos Farinha / Banca: Alexandre de Sene Pinto / Doutor

The main objectives of this study were to investigate the applicability of chitosan as an effective wood preservative against subterranean termites, conduct metagenomic analysis of the bacterial hindgut community of Reticulitermes flavipes exposed to chitosan-treated wood, and perform chitosanase activity assay of metagenomics suggested bacterial species potentially responsible for chitosan breakdown. Chitosan showed termiticidal effects on subterranean termites at varying retention levels. Termite mortality increased when exposed to samples treated with higher chitosan concentration solutions. Approximately 40 - 100% of chitosan retained in treated-wood was leached depending on the initial retention. Post-leaching results indicate chitosan is not suitable for protection against both subterranean termites in outdoor conditions, but should be effective in non-leaching/indoor applications. For metagenomic analysis of the bacterial hindgut community of Reticulitermes flavipes, two methods were used for sequence data interpretation. The Illumina BaseSpace program identified twenty-six bacteria phyla with significant differences in abundance between the chitosan-treated and control groups. The second method, mothur, identified fifteen bacterial phyla also with significant differences in abundance between both treatment groups. Similar bacterial taxa were uniquely assigned to samples from termites fed on chitosan-treated wood using both methods. These results suggest a treatment driven effect on the hindgut bacteria diversity. While majority of the bacterial taxa were common to both methods, inconsistencies detected using the BaseSpace program suggests that the Greengenes database in its present state is not reliable for 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. As for chitosanase activity of bacterial species with significance abundance from chitosan-treated wood exposed termites, three bacteria species, Lactococcus raffinolactis, Lactococcus lactis, and Dysgonomonas gadei, were examined. After culturing on chitosan media plates and broth, no conclusive activity could be detected from all three species. Further studies need to be conducted to understand the mechanism of chitosan toxicity to termites and insects in general and to prevent chitosan leaching from treated wood. A comparative metatransciptomic study needs to be implemented to supplement the metagenomic study performed herein, so as to elucidate the exact bacteria species involved in chitosan breakdown and the enzymes produced. Also, other bacterial species suggested by the metagenomic data to possess chitosanase activity should be investigated.

Subterranean termites are ecologically and economically important insects that play major roles in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is an invasive species known to cause significant damage in urban areas through aggressive consumption of wooden structures and infestations of living trees. Little is known about the presence and impact of C. formosanus in forested ecosystems of the southeastern U.S. as the majority of studies have taken place in urban settings. This study investigates the prevalence of C. formosanus in localized forests, as well as the utilization of living trees by C. formosanus and native subterranean termite species (Reticulitermes spp.). Recently harvested timber stumps were inspected for subterranean termite presence on sites throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. Alate light traps were utilized for further C. formosanus detection. Three sites yielded C. formosanus alate catches, while 7,413 stump inspections produced 406 Reticulitermes spp. infestations.

9 pp. / Termites are considered Arizona's number one urban pest. All termites can be placed into 3 broad categories based on their habitat: damp-wood, dry-wood and subterranean. In Arizona, damp-wood and dry wood termites are not major wide spread problems but can be under selected conditions. Subterranean termites on the other hand are considered one of our major urban pests. Detection of the presence of termites in many cases can be difficult to do. A discussion of construction practices is presented to keep termites from invading your home. Control technologies such as a pre and post-treatment using a termiticide, physical barriers and baiting systems are presented.

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.

No description available.

Reticulitermids were significantly more likely to discover subterranean baits connected by physical guidelines than freestanding baits under both laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory, subterranean termites built significantly longer tunnels adjacent to cellulosic guidelines than plastic guidelines. In the field, all guideline materials were equally effective at directing tunneling activity. Reticulitermes spp. workers were tested to determine their preferred substrate temperature. The preferred range for Reticulitermes spp. workers was found to be 18 to 27 degrees C. A laboratory bioassay was performed to determine if Reticulitermes spp. aggregates within thermal shadows. Significantly more Reticulitermes spp. workers aggregated within cool thermal shadows than control areas. In a multiple choice bioassay, mean consumption was higher for paper baits treated with fructose, galactose, glucose, raffinose, sucrose, trehalose and uric acid than for control baits. In a multiple choice bioassay, mean consumption was significantly lower for baits treated with arbutin, and most amino acids than for control baits. In the no-choice bioassay, the amount of paper bait consumed did not differ significantly for any of the treated baits tested and control baits. / Ph. D.

Thirty-two privately owned structures were treated with a 0.06% exterior and interior, 0.06% exterior-only, or 0.125% exterior-only application of fipronil (Termidor SC®) in order to compare their efficacies in the post-construction control of interior populations of Reticulitermes spp. (Holmgren). The concentration of fipronil in the soils from the structures was measured pre-treatment and at 1 week, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months post-treatment. Bioassays conducted with fipronil-treated soils from five locations in Texas determined the minimum effective concentration (minimum concentration necessary to stop termites from breeching a 50 mm column of treated soil) was < 1.0 ppm. Lethal concentration (LC50) values ranged from 0.19 to 0.60 ppm for Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). All structures receiving a 0.06% fipronil exterior and interior or 0.125% exterior-only application showed full control of interior termite populations within 6 months. In contrast, 36% of the structures that received a 0.06% fipronil exterior-only application still had termites 6 months post-treatment. When taking the point of termite entry into account, it was shown that only structures treated with fipronil at the point of entry into the structure by termites showed full control within 6 months. This indicated that the placement of the termiticide at the point of subterranean termite entry, and not the rate at which it was applied, was the most important factor that predicted whether a post-construction application of fipronil provided full control of an interior infestation. Results also indicated that Termidor SC® was effective when used according to the current product label, which calls for a thorough application including exterior and interior applications for post-construction termite control. Soil monitoring data for fipronil indicated that the technical material provided by the manufacturer of Termidor SC® was labeled appropriately in terms of concentration. Tank mix samples, while variable, were between 83 - 96% of the labeled concentrations. Post-treatment soil samples and bioassays with treated soil showed that fipronil concentrations were adequate to effectively control termites through the first 18 months.