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Formosan Subterranean Termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki): An
Emerging Threat to Pecan Agroecosystems?
Robert Puckett & Chris Swain
Center for Urban and Structural EntomologyDepartment of Entomology
Texas A&M University
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Outline
• Formosan Termite Invasion History (U.S.)
• Formosan Termite Status (U.S.)
• Formosan Termite Behavior
• Research Objectives
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History of Formosan Termites in the U.S.
• Native to eastern Asia.
• First described as a species in 1909 from specimens collected from the Asian Island of Taiwan (formerly Formosa).
• Reported in Hawaii in 1913 but believed to have been present on the island since 1869.
• Believed to have been introduced to the Continental U.S. after WWII in infested materials retuning from the Pacific theater by military ships.
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• Coptotermes spp. was first discovered in the continental U.S. in 1956 around the Houston Ship Channel in Pasadena Texas (Harris Co.).
• It is likely that the species was here several years before they were discovered.
• C. formosanus was first identified in 1962 in Beaumont Texas (Bill Clarke).
History of Formosan Termites in the U.S.
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U.S. Distribution - 1967
Found in Hawaii and 3 states in the continental U.S.
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U.S. Distribution - 2009
Found in Hawaii and 14 states in the continental U.S.
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Texas Distribution - 1967
• In 1967 there were only 2 TX counties known to be infested with Formosan termites.
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Distribution of Formosan Termites in Texas in 2009
• In 2004 there were 19 infested TX counties.
• In 2009, 30 TX counties were known to be infested.
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Distribution of Formosan Termites in Texas in 2009
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Formosan Termites and Trees
• Formosan termites feed on both dead and living wood, attacking at least 50 plant species in the U.S.
• Infestations in living trees often go undetected.
• Infested trees with weakened branches may fall over on their own or with strong winds.
• After hurricane Andrew in 1992, 60% of the 360 felled trees sampled in New Orleans were infested with Formosan termites.
• An investigation of coastal trees felled by hurricane Rita revealed that 40% of large trees marked for landfills were infested with Formosan termites.
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Damage to Trees in Baytown, TexasAugust 2008
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Damage to Trees in Baytown, TexasAugust 2008
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Signs of Tree Infestation
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Tree in Unidad Park (Baytown, TX)
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Tree in Unidad Park (Baytown, TX)
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Tree in Unidad Park (Baytown, TX)
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Tree in Unidad Park (Baytown, TX)
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Tree in Unidad Park (Baytown, TX)
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Economic Importance
• An estimated $1.7 billion is spent on termite treatment, damage and repairs annually in the U.S.
• In Louisiana, $500 million is spent on termite treatment, damage and repairs annually.
• New Orleans estimates that 20-25 percent of the cities trees are infested with Formosan termites. Annual control exceeds $100 million.
• There are no products currently registered for the treatment of the interior of any nut or fruit bearing tree.
• Texas and Louisiana are two of the leading producers of pecans in the U.S.
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U.S. Distribution of Pecans
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Formosan Termites/Pecans in Texas
• Texas was the third highest producer of pecans in 2008.
• However, little is known about pecan and Formosan termite interactions.
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Tree Species Preference of Formosan Termites
*Ring & Henderson. 2007. Louisiana Agriculture.
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Research Objectives
• Investigation of olfaction preference of Formosan termites to green leaf volatiles of pecan cultivars.
• Identify degree of pecan cultivar-specific selectivity by Formosan termites attack.
• Identify cultivar-specific feeding preference of Formosan termites.
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• Plant leaf volatiles can attract, repel or have toxic effects on insects.
Leaf Volatiles: Experimental Design
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• Center Petri dish containing 250 termites.
• One Petri dish containing experimental control and 3 containing wounded leaf samples (hole punch) of different cultivars surrounding the center Petri dish.
• Plastic tubing connecting all 4 Petri dishes to the center Petri dish.
• Equal amounts of air flow applied to each Petri dish.
• Termites will remain in total darkness in the Petri dishes for 48 hours.
Leaf Volatiles: Experimental Design
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air flow
air flow
air flow
air flow
air f
low
air flow
air flow
air f
low
Control
C1
C2
C3
Leaf Volatiles: Experimental Design
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Cultivar Preference: Experimental Design
• Collect wood from 50 pecan cultivars (30 relic & 20 commercially important cultivars).
• 5 samples per cultivar weighing between 3 to 5 g.
• Samples will be dried, weighed and rehydrated.
• Samples will be placed in a 12 cm Petri dish containing approx. 55 g of sand (1.5 ounces of water per 55 g of sand).
• 250 FST will be allowed to feed for 8 days.
• Samples will be removed, dried and reweighed.
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Cultivar Preference: Experimental Design
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Acknowledgements
USDA-ARS Pecan Breeding Program
Dr. Tommy Thompson
Dr. L.J. Grauke
Grant Heller (Student-Worker)
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Plea for Cooperation• If you suspect Formosan termites in your pecans, please contact:
Center for Urban & Structural Entomology
Department of Entomology
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
979.845.5855
http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/