Comparison of Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Field Sites and Seasonal Foraging Activity in Hawaii

Abstract

Field surveys were carried out from January 2010 to June 2011 to record the environmental properties of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and C. gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) field sites on the island of Oahu, Hawaii; and to document seasonal patterns in C. formosanus and C. gestroi foraging activity. The two field sites selected differed in elevation, soil characteristics, vegetation, and mean temperature and humidity patterns. The C. formosanus colony was located on the Manoa campus of the University of Hawaii, near Miller Hall; while the C. gestroi colony was located 40 km away at the Barber's Point Horse Stables in Kalaeloa, Oahu (formerly Barber's Point Naval Housing). Mean temperature and humidity were recorded monthly at each field site using a Hobo® data logger (1000-1100h), soil samples were taken from each site and analyzed for physical properties, and vegetation type/s were observed, photographed, and samples brought to laboratory for identification. During each site visit, the number of active termite collection traps (termites present) out of a total of 22 traps per site were counted. The C. gestroi field site was generally warmer than that of C. formosanus. Both termite species exhibited irregular activity throughout the year, although C. formosanus was more active in general during cooler months (winter) than C. gestroi; while C. gestroi was generally more active during late spring and summer months. These results, as well as introduction histories, may help to explain C. gestroi distribution patterns in Hawaii.

Tunneling and Food Transportation Activity of Four Subterranean Termite Species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) at Various Temperatures

“…It was believed that the variations of temiite activity are closely related to temperature fluctuations (Sen-Sarma and Mishra 1969, Evans and Gleeson 2001, Hapukotuwa and Grace 2012a. Foraging activity is a direct measurement of damage potential by subterranean termites.…”

Elimination of structural and tree infestations of the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) with noviflumuron baits in above-ground stations

“…Remarkably, stake survey and IG stations have been successfully used, at least partially, to detect and monitor C. gestroi populations by previous studies, in Thailand (Sornnuwat et al 1996), Little Cayman (Su et al 2000), Brazil (Santos et al 2010), Hawaii (Hapukotuwa and Grace 2012a), and Malaysia (Majid and Ahmad 2015). While our results appear at first to contradict with C. gestroi studies in other regions, a closer look indicated that this termite species is not easily detected by soil survey methods in certain areas.…”

Economic and ecological importance of termites: A global review

“…Detailed information about eight introduced termite species at Hawaii is given by Grace et al . () and Hapukotuwa and Grace (), and drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis Walker at six islands (from nine) of Azores archipelago by Guerreiro et al . ().…”

“…Detailed information about eight introduced termite species at Hawaii is given by Grace et al (2002) and Hapukotuwa and Grace (2012), and drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis Walker at six islands (from nine) of Azores archipelago by Guerreiro et al (2014). Attempts to eradicate the invading termites are usually futile; only two known cases of successful eradication are known: Coptotermes formosanus from South Africa and C. frenchi from New Zealand (Chouvenc et al 2015).…”