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HERO ID
7312175
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Area-Wide Management of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), in the New Orleans French Quarter
Author(s)
Guillot, FS; Ring, DR; Lax, AR; Morgan, A; Brown, K; Riegel, C; Boykin, D
Year
2010
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Sociobiology
ISSN:
0361-6525
EISSN:
2447-8067
Volume
55
Issue
2
Page Numbers
311-338
Language
English
Web of Science Id
WOS:000276528800001
Abstract
The Formosan subterranean termite (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shi-raki, was first introduced to the continental US after WWII. New Orleans' French Quarter (FQ) in particular has been severely impacted experiencing reoccurring cycles of damages and repairs since FST was introduced to the region 65 years ago. Operation Full Stop is a federally funded program established in 1998 by the US Congress. As part of the Operation Full Stop, a project was begun in the FQ to apply area-wide management to suppress the FST population, thereby potentially limiting future damages. To measure the impact of the area-wide program, in-ground stations were placed throughout the FQ to monitor activity of termite foragers. Additionally, alate traps (sticky cards), suspended under street lamps at or near every intersection were use to de-termine the level of alate activity during the swarm season. An inspection program of structures was initiated in 2003 to determine the percentages of properties with active infestations and to reveal their location for additional treatment The percentages of active in-ground stations declined to 5% or less de-pending on the specific FQ neighborhood. Also, since 2006 there has been a 44% to 76% reduction in the number of alates captured, again depending on the neighborhood and how recently it was entered into the program. The inspection program has revealed lingering infestations in some structurally complex facilities. These infestations are problematic for successful area-wide suppression of FST in the FQ. Thus, finding and treating these persistent structural infestations and those in open spaces such as the adjacent levee are necessary for further reduction of FST.
Keywords
Coptotermes formosanus; Isoptera; Rhinotermitidae
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