Formosan subterranean termite established in California

Abstract

Copfofermes formosanus Shirakiwinged reproductive, fop, and worker, bottom of inset Large populations of the nonnative termite can cause significant structural damage within 6 months and can destroy an unprotected home within 2 years.

Genetic Evidence for Two Introductions of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes Formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), to the United States

“…Presently, FST is distributed across the southeast United States (Spink 1967;Howell et al 1987;La Fage 1987;Su & Tamashiro 1987;Appel & Sponsler 1989;Chambers et al 1998;Su & Scheffrahn 1998a;Cabrera et al 2000;Hawthorne et al 2000;Howell et al 2000;Su & Scheffrahn 2000;Hu et al 2001;Scheffrahn et al 2001;Jenkins et al 2002), and disjunct populations in southern California (Atkinson et al 1993;Haagsma et al 1995) are thought to have originated from Hawaii. Without doubt, their continued presence and growing distribution(s) have been exacerbated by commerce and trade practices within the United States (Cabrera 2000;Jenkins et al 2002;Glenn et al 2003) Several studies applying genetic or biochemical interpretations of FST populations have attempted to identify introduction routes of FST.…”

Naphthalene in Formosan Subterranean Termite Carton Nests

“…Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, a native of mainland China, has become an important international structural pest (Su and Tamashiro, 1987). After its initial discovery in the continental United States in Houston, TX, in 1965 (King and Spink, 1969), its distribution has included Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee (Su and Tamashiro, 1987;Haagsma et al, 1995). C. formosanus may in some cases displace native Reticulitermes spp.…”

Coptotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) established in Israel and world distribution of a major termite pest

“…The marginal climatic suitability of C. formosanus in La Mesa is revealed by its very inhibited dispersal and colonization abilities there. A dye study of the La Mesa population suggests a single colony (Haagsma et al 1995). The epicenter of the La Mesa infestation, inspected by RHS in 1992, was on the property of a US Navy employee whose belongings (including potted plants) were moved en masse from Hawaii over a decade earlier.…”