Targeted elimination of the exotic termite,Nasutitermes corniger(Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), from infested tracts in southeastern Florida

Establishment ofNasutitermes corniger(Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) on Abaco Island, The Bahamas

“…Chase 3 , Benjamin Gillenwaters 1 , John R. Mangold 4 ,and Allen L. Szalanski 5 Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera: Termitidae) is the most widely distributed higher termite in the Neotropics and is the only termitid to have become established beyond its endemic range (Scheffrahn et al 2005), almost certainly by human transport. Although this termite is a pest of wood in service, its epigeal foraging behavior and arboreal nesting habits allow for easy detection (Scheffrahn et al 2014). In 2000, as part of a larger termite diversity study of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands (Scheffrahn et al 2006; Fig.…”

“…As with the Dania Beach, Florida, infestation (Scheffrahn et al 2014), the mode and date of establishment of N. corniger on Treasure Cay, Abaco, cannot be determined. However, establishment by a dis- persal flight from an infested boat (Scheffrahn & Crowe 2011) is the most plausible explanation, considering that Abaco is visited by private vessels that were potentially infested by N. corniger from elsewhere in the West Indies or Caribbean Basin (Fig.…”

“…1). Alates could have flown from an infested vessel toward terrestrial light sources during their crepuscular flights and initiated a cryptic incipient colony that would become visible in 1 to 2 yr (Scheffrahn et al 2014). The closest marine vessel docks are 100 m from the easternmost N. corniger locality at Treasure Cay (Fig.…”

“…This area is remarkably close to our estimate of occupied area for N. corniger on Abaco and suggests that the Treasure Cay infestation may have been established around 1995. Scheffrahn et al (2014) documented several of the confounding issues that this eradication program presented and how they may have compromised the goal of extirpation, but nonetheless how efforts for eradication of N. corniger continue in Dania Beach. If the infestation on Abaco is not addressed, it will continue to expand.…”

Redescriptions of ThreeNasutitermesSpecies (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) Occurring in Taiwan

“…Some Nasutitermes spp. were recorded as pests or invasive species (Constantino 2002, Scheffrahn et al 2014. The taxonomy of Nasutitermes was based mainly on the morphology of the soldier caste (Holmgren 1910, Emerson 1925.…”