Project Number: 6435-32000-011-10
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 17, 2003
End Date: Jul 16, 2008

Objective:
The objectives of this study are to examine the inter-colony and interspecific dynamics of the Formosan Subterranean termite and the eastern subterranean termite populations in a defined area; with the emphasis on re-invasion by nearby established colony(s),or re-establishment of new colony(s) by alate pairs into vacated territory of colony(s) that have been eliminated by baits.

Approach:
Three urban forest test sites will be selected as field projects, 1. Armstrong Park, New Orleans, LA; 2. Jackson Square in the French Quarter area, New Orleans, LA; and 3. Golden Beach, FL, will be conducted to address the post-elimination population ecology for area-wide programs. Termite population densities will be monitored using above ground sticky traps to assess alate populations and in ground monitoring stations will be used to assess termite activity. Triple mark recapture methods will be used to estimate population size and foraging territory. DNA techniques will be used for specific colony identification. Living tree treatments will be performed and efficacy monitored through visual assessment, electronic monitoring and dissection of some trees. A zone within the test area will be treated using baiting technologies to selectively eliminate or reduce termite populations. Ecological succession of termite reinvasion into the vacated area will be determined with continued monitoring after elimination of selected colonies.