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Research Projects and Interests: 1. Economic impact |
Formosan Subterranean Termite Research Projects and Interests: My program focuses on the biology, behavior and control of Formosan subterranean termites (FST) (Coptotermes formosanus) and is geared towards developing new termite control strategies that utilize environmentally friendly measures. My research is based on developing new strategies for IPM (Integrated Pest Management) to control and prevent the further spread of this invasive pest in Mississippi, the United States, and worldwide. My research projects are designed to enhance current IPM methodologies and to develop new methodologies and techniques. |
1. Economic impact: The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is one of the most destructive termite species in the world today. In the United States it causes tremendous property damage resulting in enormous treatment and repair costs ($1.0-1.5B). It is sometimes referred to as the "Super Termite" (Su, N.Y. et al. 2000) because:
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The first step in our research has been to determine where colonies of FST are located in the state of Mississippi. The CREC has been monitoring and mapping the occurrence of termites, specifically FST, in south Mississippi since 1999. My research team and I will continue this work in order to evaluate the impact of new infestations of FST and to determine the economic cost of prevention, control, and repair in Mississippi. |
Link
to map of infested counties in Mississippi |
2. IPM strategies: The use of area-wide IPM suppression tactics used against FST in a region should result in a significant reduction or elimination of active colonies. Therefore, my research will work towards developing and improving area-wide IPM strategies, tactics, and associated technologies. This will include enhancing termite surveys and inspections, improving data collection and mapping techniques for treatment evaluation, and evaluating treatment options for a specific incident (e.g. bait stations, trenching, etc.). |
"IPM may be defined as the intelligent selection, integration, and use of actions to manage a pest while attempting to achieve favorable economic, ecological, and sociological consequences" (Rabb 1972). Favorable economic consequences regarding protection of a structure from termites include:
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Integrated pest management does not exclude insecticides nor is it based exclusively on insecticides. Rather, IPM may use insecticides as one tool among many and integrate the tools to mitigate the negative impacts of insects. |
3. Termites and mulch: New research is being designed to characterize the relationship between commercially available landscape mulches and new infestations of FST. This work will define FST expansion problems associated through the misuse of mulch. Additionally, this research will work towards developing economically viable mulches that have been enriched with environmentally friendly control agents which will either repel or kill FST. |
4. DNA fingerprinting: Future research will characterize and identify the genetic structure of FST colonies in Mississippi by using multilocus genetic fingerprinting, microsatellite genotyping and sequence analysis. Regulatory practices must be based on an understanding of the invasion process, which includes introduction and subsequent spread through an area. This research will be done in collaboration with the USDA-ARS in Stoneville, MS. |
5. Microbial control of termites: I will be continuing my research in developing and enhancing microbial control techniques of FST with pathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana (Sun et al. 2002, 2003). Work will be conducted to evaluate the repellency of fungal conidia, the interactive mechanisms, and other biological effects of the fungal conidia against termite alates (or dealates), and foragers (workers and soldiers). Future plans include developing new practical and economically favorable technologies to apply these biological agents. |
6. Incipient colony development: Research will be conducted to develop an understanding of the factors required for incipient (new) colonies of FST to become successfully established. The goal will be to determine how environmental and food factors impact the successful establishment of an incipient colony, and to determine how an area is re-invaded by FST. This research will guide us towards which factor(s) should be avoided in order for an area-wide IPM program to succeed. |
7. Natural Products: Work will be conducted, in the lab and field, to screen and evaluate the practical application of potential repellent or toxicant effects of natural products, such as plant or other related extracts. |
8. Screening new products: We will screen and evaluate new termiticides, such as botanical chemicals, or other promising termite control agents. Future work will develop and improve upon the present application technology of termiticides used with in-ground and above-ground bait stations. |
9. Evaluating other IPM options: In high-risk locations, like the Mississippi Gulf coast, IPM practices that include the use of chemically treated lumber, can seriously slow if not eliminate the chance of subterranean termite infestations. Future work will include evaluating the differences in wood treatments by different chemicals and their different retention times, and the differences between wood species. The results could be used to estimate the performance and preservative value of pre-treated wood used in residential structures. Furthermore, the prevention of other wood destroying organisms should be considered in all building designs and practices. |
Summary I believe that a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach based on IPM concepts that bring together our understanding of the genetics, physiology and ecology of termites will be critical in developing effective and environmentally friendly means of managing subterranean termites. I consider my most important role at Mississippi State University/Coastal Research and Extension Center to be that of a researcher, a coordinator/organizer to battle with FST. It is not possible to eradicate FST from Mississippi at this time so we have to learn to manage it in our environment. This can be done by adopting a statewide integrated pest management program encompassing all aspects of termite management. The program must address short term needs and long term (approaching a geologic view of time) management and prevention. If long term management and prevention are not implemented, then treatments for short term needs will only delay further economic losses and the money used for short term treatments may be viewed as wasted. The longer an integrated pest management program is delayed the greater and more costly the problem will be. |
Selected publications:
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Research team, laboratory and facilities: |
Research team:
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Laboratory and facilities:
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Useful information in termite biology and termite control (Under construction):
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Useful links
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