Alate Trap-Based Assessment of Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Dispersal Flight Phenology Associated With an Urbanized Barrier Island Ecosystem

Abstract

During 2009, 2010, and 2011, the reproductive dispersal flight phenology of Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) was assessed on Galveston Island, TX, via LED light-based termite alate traps. In all three years, traps were deployed at sampling sites before the initiation of C. formosanus dispersal flights, and retrieved weekly until the cessation flights. In total, 45, 102, and 90 traps were deployed during 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. In all years, C. formosanus flights began during the second full week of May; however, peak dispersal flight activity occurred 2 wk earlier in 2009 and 2011 than in 2010. Significantly more alates were collected during the 2009 flight peak than in 2010 and 2011 despite the fact that greater than twice the number of traps were deployed in 2010 and 2011, versus 2009. Additionally, a greater percentage of traps collected C. formosanus alates in 2009 (71.1%) than in 2010 (38.2%) or 2011 (20.0%). A relatively inexpensive trap design (∼US$25.00 per trap) was developed for this project. The traps used in this work yielded results that were similar to those of other researchers using a variety of different trap designs. It is hoped that these results will allow for more targeted surveillance of C. formosanus dispersal flights by residents and pest management professionals at this location and elsewhere.

The significance of social interactions in synchronized swarming flight in a termite

“…We obtained the same results using average or minimum temperature (GLMM; P < 0.001), but the AIC was smallest with maximum temperature. The observed relationship between the highest temperature and swarming events is consistent with field observations in other termite species (e.g., (Chouvenc et al, 2017; Puckett et al, 2014; Sugio et al, 2020)). Two of the seven colonies observed had the swarming event on the same day (colonies I and VII).…”

“…Previous studies have identified the environmental cues that elicit a swarming flight by social insects (Hölldobler and Wilson, 1990; Nutting, 1969). In termites, for example, high temperature is a good predicting factor of the occurrence of swarming flights in some species (Chouvenc et al, 2017; Puckett et al, 2014; Sugio et al, 2020), while rainfall and humidity are essential triggers for species especially in arid (Aihetasham and Akhtar, 2008) or tropical regions (Lucena et al, 2022; Mitchell, 2008; Neoh and Lee, 2009). The environmental cues are sometimes complex, where air temperature and relative humidity are not the only factors (Martius, 2003; Sands, 1965).…”

Seasonal Changes in the Caste Distribution of Foraging Populations of Formosan Subterranean Termite in New Orleans, Louisiana

“…There is significant variability in the numbers of C. formosanus alates swarming at the same locations from year to year ( Osbrink et al. 2011 ; Puckett et al. 2014 ).…”

“…2011 ). In Galveston, TX, significantly more alates were captured in 2009 than in 2010 and 2011 ( Puckett et al. 2014 ).…”