Ecology of termites from the genus Nasutitermes (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) and potential for science-based development of sustainable pest management programs

Abstract

International audienceThe genus Nasutitermes is among the most abundant wood-feeding Termitidae and an extremely diverse and heterogeneous group in terms of its biogeography and morphology. Despite the major role of several Nasutitermes species as structural pests, the phylogenetic status of this genus is still unclear, along with a confused taxonomy and species identification remaining difficult. The first aim of this review was thus to gather and discuss studies concerning the taxonomic status of the genus Nasutitermes in order to clarify this crucial point. Then, our goal was to gain new insights into the management of N. corniger, considered to be the most economically detrimental pest of this genus in South America and a Nasutitermes model species, while filtering available information concerning its biology through the prism of termite control, as well as critically examine the existing methods. We indeed strongly believe that increasing our knowledge of this species’ biological strategies is the key to progress in the challenging question of their sustainable management

Tropical wood resistance to the West Indian drywood termiteCryptotermes brevis: If termites can't chew…

“…The difficulties in recognizing the natural habitat of termite species prevent the identification of their native range, and thus their recognition as invasive species, which is further impaired by problems of taxonomic misidentification . Nonetheless, some 28 termite species, particularly Kalotermitidae (mainly Cryptotermes ) and Rhinotermitidae (mainly Coptotermes and Heterotermes ), are currently recognized as invasive species worldwide, all of which are wood‐eating and considered important pest species of structural lumber, furniture, and other wood products . Among them, the West Indian drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) is the most widespread species whose endemic origin was recently recognized as the Pacific coastal desert of South America extending from Chile to Peru .…”

What drives patrolling behaviour by nasute termites? A model and an empirical assessment

“…8 m of diameter. The termite feeds on wood of various forms, from branches in trees to fallen trunks (Boulogne et al., ). Potential vertebrate predators (e.g., anteaters, monkeys) are absent from the campus; the most likely natural enemies are ants and assassin bugs.…”

“…where it is also a major urban pest (Boulogne et al, 2016). I sampled trees with different sizes (a surrogate for colony size) for foraging galleries of N. corniger, and termite behaviour was video recorded upon gallery breaching under (i) direct mortality and (ii) repeated breaching.…”

“…To test these expectations, I used the arboreal termite Nasutitermes corniger Motschulsky, 1855 (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). This is one of the commonest termite species throughout the tropical Americas, where it is also a major urban pest (Boulogne et al., ). I sampled trees with different sizes (a surrogate for colony size) for foraging galleries of N. corniger, and termite behaviour was video recorded upon gallery breaching under (i) direct mortality and (ii) repeated breaching.…”

Identification and evaluation of (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol as the trail following pheromone on Microcerotermes exiguus (Isoptera:Termitidae)

“…In agricultural systems, termites are considered harmful to many crops such as maize, rice, yams, cotton, sugarcane and eucalyptus (Miranda et al, 2004). From the economical perspective, these feeding preferences can cause big economic loss (Boulogne et al, 2017). In the U.S., for example, it is estimated to cause over 1 billion dollars of damage annually.…”