Project Overview
Surveying Termite Diversity in the Southern US Working Group
Commodities
- Additional Plants: trees
- Community and Urban Pest Management: commercial, institution/shelters/municipal buildings/public places, residential/housing
Target Pests
- Target Pests: insects
Practices
- Pest Management: other, traps
Proposal abstract:
Termites are cryptic wood-destroying insects, and are a significant economic threat, causing billions of dollars in damage annually. Their impact is especially problematic in the Southern US due to warmer temperatures and greater moisture, and they have the potential for range expansion amid environmental changes. Within the Southern US, invasive, Coptotermes formosanus is the primary economic concern, in addition to native Reticulitermes spp., and other termites that attack wooden structures. Termite management is predominantly proactive, with application of termiticides, bait stations, physical barriers, or borate treatments. However, homeowners may not take preventative action without awareness of local termite presence and if an infestation establishes, curative action is taken, which is more costly. In the Southern US, a wood-destroying insect report and termite inspection are required for homeowners to protect themselves during property transactions. Pest management professionals (PMPs) and inspectors need to be able to identify termite species and recognize conditions conducive to their presence. If a wood-destroying insects report is inaccurate, the pest control company can be held financially responsible. Termite workers cannot be used for visual identification, but with proper training, individuals can use termite alates and soldiers to determine the species for enabling specific integrated pest management options. If PMPs need clarification on the termite species, they must know how to collect and preserve specimens for later identification.
The problem we are focused on solving is that pest management professionals, extension agents, and inspectors (target clientele) need to be able to identify termites, but this requires training on both solider and alate characteristics, in addition to knowing how to collect and preserve termites. This enables the accurate reporting on termite and wood destroying insect reports, protecting both the individual considering buying a home and the pest control company. The termites that target clientele are taught to identify is based on confirmed sightings informed by termite distribution maps, however depending on the state, these may be out of date. Termites are cryptic and can be introduced to new areas on accident, therefore, their distribution has likely changed over time in the Southern US.
To best address the needs of termite management within the Southern US, a working group of urban entomologists and extension experts is required. The goals of this grant proposal are:
- To create a working group to address termite identification training needs and update species distribution maps for the Southern US, ultimately enhancing integrated pest management (IPM) practices in the region.
- Develop project outputs that train and assist target clients in identifying termites, enhancing integrated pest management capacity.
- Implement a trap-based termite alate survey during swarm season and specimen submission program in collaboration with pest management professionals, extension agents, and other interested groups to create a termite distribution maps for the Southern US, enabling proactive termite management in neglected areas. The trap survey will primarily focus on C. formosanus.
- Produce and distribute a state-specific and integrated identification guide for termite alates in the Southern US.
We anticipate to the following outputs from this working group: State specific and/or aggregated termite species identification guide (physical and digital), evaluations of target clientele’s ability to identify different termite species, termite collection protocols, termite distribution maps for the Southern Region, funding for grants, and a successful working group working to improve termite management in the Southern US. Greater awareness of termite management needs throughout the Southern US. Changes in knowledge resulting in improved termite soldier and alate identification in target clientele. Less failed or incorrectly filled out termite and wood destroying insect reports. Possible detection of invasive termite species or changes in termite distribution.
Project objectives from proposal:
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Planned Outputs What you plan on doing |
Anticipated Outcomes What changes are expected to occur as a result |
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Objective 1 Create Working Group |
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Create the Termites of the South Working group and meet both virtually and in person to establish overall goals to improve regional termite management |
Overall agreed upon goals will determine the activities of the working group |
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Create a platform for collectively working to meet proposal goals |
A centralized means of sharing materials and educational content will allow seamless collaboration between members. |
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Decide what termite alate identification training resources from each organization should be the basis for our materials |
Many supporters have state-specific termite identification materials. Using them, we will be able to make informed decisions on the best identification products |
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Determine a suitable platform for the termite distribution map to be housed |
Several maps exist online already for termite distribution maps, which could be updated and used for a combined Southern US map |
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Identify collaborators and barriers to success for the termite collection surveys |
Once we have identified what materials each member of the group has, we can determine optimal configurations and ways to address termite-related training needs |
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Objective 2 Develop Identification Training Materials and Events |
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Develop an integrated termite alate and soldier identification resource for the Southern US from the collaborator training materials |
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Create a diagnostic key of characters used to identify different pest termite alates and soldiers in the Southern US |
A basic guide to termite alate and soldier identification with diagnostic characters highlighted, including high quality images of the termite. |
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Create a training webinar or presentation for termite alate and soldier identification for target clientele. Develop protocols on how to deploy traps and collect termites for identification |
Those working in pest management need to know how to collect specimens for identification, enabling implementation of proper termite management or completion of wood-destroying insect reports |
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Determine other areas of need related to termite identification |
During meetings of the working group, other areas of need may be identified |
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Print and distribute educational materials on termite alate and soldier identification |
A state-specific and master guide to termite alate and soldier identification will be distributed to pest management professionals and extension agents |
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Objective 3 Distribute Traps for Surveying Termites and Update Distribution Maps |
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Termite alate traps will be mailed to extension agents, pest management professionals, and other collaborators for placement during Formosan subterranean termite swarm season |
Extension agents, pest control operators, and project supporters will be able to check traps regularly as they will be set up outside of their place of work |
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Termite traps that are positive for alates will be identified and if possible, voucher specimens will be created. |
Termite species distribution maps will be updated with accurate confirmed sightings |
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Objective 3 Deliver Educational Materials on Termite Identification |
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Use the updated termite distribution map to make any additions to species identification materials for each state |
Previously unknown termite species that are in certain areas may be identified, requiring modification to the identification materials |
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