Journal Article

Reinvasion Dynamics of Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Following the Elimination of All Detectable Colonies in a Large Area

Su, Nan-Yao, Cotonne, Carrie, Guidry, Eric, Mullins, Aaron J.

2016

Overview

Following the elimination of all detectable termite colonies in the 32-acre Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans, LA, in 2002–2003, termite activity was monitored by using 808 Sentricon stations. Between January 2004 and July 2005, termites were found in 8–11 stations. In August 2005, the Park was flooded by Hurricane Katrina, but termites remained active. Post-Katrina termite activity levels of 16–21 stations were recorded throughout 2006, and in October 2007, the activity drastically increased to 43 stations. This rapid increase of termite activity continued into 2008, and a total of 94 stations harbored termite activities by July 2008. Termite activity peaked at 109 stations in September 2008 and then leveled down to 64 stations in March 2009. Termite activity in the Park between 2004 and 2009 was described by a Sigmoid model with a carrying capacity of 76 stations, and a Sigmoid mid-point of 1,202 d. In April 2009, a total of 14 colonies of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and one colony of Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) were delineated by using microsatellite genotyping and mark–recapture protocol. Of the 15 colonies, eight near the Park border probably originated from existing colonies from outside, and seven C. formosanus colonies found inside the Park were probably initiated by alate pairs. Our results showed that, if surrounded by high population pressure of termites and no control measures are applied, an area cleared of termite populations by baits can be completely re-populated by termites from outside in 53 mo.

• Publisher: Entomological Society of America,Oxford University Press
• Subject: Animal populations / Animals / area-wide management / Baits / Carrying capacity / control methods / Coptotermes formosanus / eastern subterranean termite / Formosan subterranean termite / genotyping / HOUSEHOLD AND STRUCTURAL INSECTS / Hurricanes / Isoptera / Louisiana / mark-recapture studies / microsatellite repeats / Pest control / Population Dynamics / population pressure / reinvasion / Reticulitermes flavipes / subterranean termites / termite bait / Termites / Time Factors