A5072748072- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Slime Mold and Myxomycetes Research
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Fossil Insects in Amber
University of Fort Lauderdale
2016-2025
University of Florida
2016-2025
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
2024
Bridge University
2024
University of California, Davis
2024
Utah State University
2024
Florida College
2019
Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation
2011
Université de Bourgogne
2011
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2011
The higher classification of termites requires substantial revision as the Neoisoptera, most diverse termite lineage, comprise many paraphyletic and polyphyletic taxa. Here, we produce an updated using genomic-scale analyses. We reconstruct phylogenies under substitution models with ultraconserved elements analyzed concatenated matrices or within multi-species coalescence framework. Our is further supported by analyses controlling for rogue loci taxa, topological tests. show that Neoisoptera...
Social insects nesting in soil environments are constant contact with entomopathogens but have evolved a range of defence mechanisms, resulting both individual and social immunity that reduce the chance for epizootics colony, as case subterranean termites. Coptotermes formosanus uses its faeces building material nest structure result into 'carton material', here, we report faecal supports growth Actinobacteria which provide another level protection to group against entomopathogens. A...
Abstract Native to eastern Asia, the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) is recognized as one of 100 worst invasive pests in world, with established populations Japan, Hawaii and southeastern United States. Despite its importance, native source(s) C. introductions their pathway out Asia remain elusive. Using ~22,000 SNPs, we retraced invasion history this species through approximate Bayesian computation assessed consequences on genetic patterns demography. We show...
Over the past 50 years, repeated attempts have been made to develop biological control technologies for use against economically important species of subterranean termites, focusing primarily on entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. However, no successful field implementation has reported. Most previous work conducted under assumption that environmental conditions within termite nests would favor growth and dispersion agents, resulting in an epizootic. Epizootics rely ability...
While hybridization of an invasive species with a native is common occurrence, between two rare. Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus) and Asian (C. gestroi) are both ecologically successful the most economically important termite pests in world. Both have spread throughout many areas world due to human activity; however, their distributions overlap only three narrow because distinct ecological requirements. In south Florida, where C. formosanus gestroi invasive, dispersal...
Coptotermes Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is one of the most economically important subterranean termite genera and some species are successful invaders. However, despite its pest status, taxonomic validity many named remains unclear. In this study, we reviewed all within genus investigated evidence supporting each species. Species were systematically scrutinized according to region their original description: Southeast Asia, India, China, Africa, Neotropics, Australia. We estimate...
Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera) have evolved specialized defensive strategies for colony protection. Alarm communication enables workers to escape threats while soldiers are recruited the source of disturbance. Here, we study vibroacoustic and chemical alarm in wood roach Cryptocercus 20 termite species including seven nine families, all life-types, feeding nesting habits. Our multidisciplinary approach shows that vibratory signals represent an ethological synapomorphy termites Cryptocercus....
Abstract The use of nonrepellent liquid termiticides against subterranean termites has long relied on the assumption that foraging in soils could transfer toxicants to nestmates achieve population control. However, their dose-dependent lethal time can lead rapid termite mortality proximity treatment, triggering secondary repellency. current study characterizes dynamic nature “death zone,” i.e., area adjacent soil would avoid owing accumulation cadavers. Using whole laboratory colonies...
The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin was tested in the laboratory against field-collected groups of eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), foraging arenas to determine potential effect a "trap and treat" protocol (trapping part population, treating it with biological control agent releasing back into original population). Individual termites were treated suspension M. conidia released containing untreated...
The use of entomopathogens for biological control subterranean termites (Rhinotermitidae) has attracted attention in the past four decades, and several laboratory studies have shown promising results with fungal agents. This approach was based on concept classical a virulent agent that can self-replicate termite nest be transmitted among individuals, resulting an epizootic to kill entire colony. However, absence positive field challenged potential pathogens as realistic control, relationship...
The dispersal flight activity ("swarming") of two invasive subterranean termite species, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) and formosanus Shiraki, was monitored in metropolitan southeastern Florida, where both species are now sympatric major structural pests. Historical records alates collected the area showed that have distinct peaks activity, from mid-February to late April for C. gestroi, early June formosanus. However, an overlap seasons has been observed since at least 2005. daily...
This study reports the spread of 2 major invasive subterranean termite species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in metropolitan southeastern Florida: Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and C. gestroi (Wasmann). Termite records from 1990 to 2015 were analyzed determine expansion their distribution. Our results suggest that ranges distribution have increased exponentially during this time frame. observation raises concerns about potential structural damage urbanized area, which includes 6 million...
This study evaluated the impact of a non-repellent liquid termiticide (fipronil) and chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI) termite bait (noviflumuron) on whole colonies Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in laboratory conditions, over 12-m foraging distance. The protocol simulated implementation remedial treatment an infested structure, where colony has multiple access routes, only portion population was directly exposed to treatment. Within 2 wk after fipronil,...
Mutualistic associations between insects and microorganisms must imply gains for both partners, the emphasis has mostly focused on coevolved host-symbiont systems. However, some insect hosts may have evolved traits that allow various means of association with opportunistic microbial communities, especially when microbes are omnipresent in their environment. It was previously shown colonies subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) build nests out fecal...
Abstract Intrinsic dinitrogen (N 2 ) fixation by diazotrophic bacteria in termite hindguts has been considered an important pathway for nitrogen acquisition termites. However, studies that supported this claim focused on measuring instant N rates and failed to address their relationship with colony growth reproduction over time. We here argue not all wood-feeding termites rely symbiotic growth. The present study looks at dietary a subterranean (Rhinotermitidae, Coptotermes ). Young colonies...
Abstract In eusocial organisms, cooperative brood care within a colony represents situation where the ancestral parental duties have shifted away from reproductive parent(s) towards their offspring. The shift to alloparental was often instrumental in initial emergence of eusociality, as it ultimately contributed establishment division labour. Remarkably, taxa such ants and termites, which still display an independent foundation phase, must go through obligatory period, temporary subsocial...
The traditional stake survey and in-ground (IG) monitoring stations have been ineffective in aggregating the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) southeastern Florida. In this study, we used both IG above-ground (AG) Sentricon to monitor bait C. gestroi, as expected, none of 83 was intercepted. Despite this, AG with 0.5% noviflumuron were successfully eliminate colonies. From 2 field experiments, mean colony elimination time (±SD) using baits 6.4 ± 3.8 wk (n = 4) 8.0 2.1...