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Ravenous Formosan subterranean termites persist in California
Authors
Michael K. RustDonald A. Reierson
Eileen O. Paine
David Kellum
Karl Haagsma
Authors Affiliations
M.K. Rust is Professor and Entomologist, Department of Entomology, UC Riverside; D.A. Reierson is Staff Research Associates, Department of Entomology, UC Riverside; E.O. Paine is Staff Research Associates, Department of Entomology, UC Riverside; D. Kellum is Senior Economic Entomologist, Department of Agriculture, San Diego County; K. Haagsma is currently working as a private consultant to the pest control industry.Publication Information
Hilgardia 52(2):34-37. DOI:10.3733/ca.v052n02p34. March 1998.
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Abstract
The first reported case of a non-native termite species being introduced and established in California was the Formosan subterranean termite, which was discovered in San Diego County in 1992. Because this termite can exact tremendous damage within a relatively short time, the affected area was defined and an attempt was made to eradicate it. Intensive baiting with the insect growth regulator hexaflumeron over 12 months appears to have eliminated the original infestation. New infestations have recently been discovered in and around homes about 1/4 mile away, and winged Formosan subterranean termites have been caught nearly 3/4 mile away. Measurements of workers and soldiers and dating of damage suggest that the new colonies are 6 to 8 years old, and that new colonies established from winged reproductives before baiting took effect at the original site. If left unabated, this pest may become increasingly more serious in California.
References
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Grace JK, Yamamoto RT, Tamashiro M. Relationship of individual worker mass and population decline in a Formosan subterranean termite colony (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Environ Entomol. 1995. 24:1258-62.
Haagsma K, Rust MK, Reierson DA, Atkinson TH, Kellum D. Formosan subterranean termite established in California. Cal Ag. 1995. 49:30-3.
Higa SY. Flight, colony foundation, and development of the gonads of the primary reproductives of the Formosan subterranean termite. Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Ph. D. diss. 1981. Honolulu, Hl: Univ. Hawaii.
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Su N-Y, Tamashiro M., Tamashiro M, Su N-Y. An overview of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the world, p 3–15. 1987. Proceed. Int. Symp. on the Formosan subterranean termite. Hawaii Institute of Trop. Agric. and Human Resources, Research Ext. Series 083.
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