In contrast to the majority of the Order, the dampwood termites of the family Termopsidae found in colder regions can experience frost and snow, either in cool temperate areas at high latitudes (45 degrees ), or alpine areas at high elevations (>1000m). This suggests that dampwood termites are adapted to cold climates. We investigated this hypothesis in two dampwood termites, Porotermes adamson...

The efÞcacy and nonrepellency of indoxacarb (150 SC, 150 g [AI]/liter) and Þpronil (Termidor SC, 9.1% [AI]) against Þeld-collected eastern subterranean termite,Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), and the Formosan subterranean termite,Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were evaluated for mortality and penetration into treated soil in laboratory glass tube bioassays. Both insecticides were tested at Þ...

Pillotinaceous spirochetes (Gram-negative, helical, motile eubacteria greater than 0.4 μm in diameter that are symbionts of metazoa) are known only as normal intestinal microbiota of dictyopterid insects (i.e., xylophagous cockroaches and termites). Because their large diameters imply they contain more than 4–5 periplasmic flagella, observations of live hindgut contents suffice to classify them...

Termites constitute a considerable fraction of the animal biomass in tropical forest, but little quantitative data are available that indicates their importance in the processes of wood decomposition. This study evaluated the participation of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera: Termitidae), N. ephratae (Holmgren), and N. macrocephalus (Silvestri) in the consumption of the wood litter...

A field study was initiated in 2009 with 0.5% novaluron the BASF Advance Termite Bait System, which was 100% effective in controlling Reticulitermes sp. Holmgren and Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki infestations on 11 structures in the Texas City, TX area. Stations with inspection cartridges (cellulose tablets) and monitoring bases (southern yellow pine) and independent monitoring devices were in...

Methanogenesis is a microbial process in which organic matter is assimilated and metabolized with the ultimate production of biogas that contains methane and carbon dioxide in the approximate ratio of 2:1. It represents a major electron sink in the metabolism of termites. An understanding of the dominant methanogens inside termite gut and their efficiency in the production of methane can find a...

Background: Termites, which are among the nature’s most effective scavengers and earthmovers, are distinguished by their ability to process lignin. In this report, arguably the first of its type, we present studies in which termites have been utilized for solid waste disposal. Twenty-five different types of solid wastes were positioned by us in in situ termireactors, at different locations and ...

Insects and fungi share a long history of association in various habitats, including the wood-decomposition niche. Fungal mimicry of termite eggs is one of the most striking evolutionary consequences of insect-fungus association. Termites of the genus Reticulitermes often harbor fungal sclerotia, called "termite balls," along with eggs in nursery chambers, whereby the fungus gains a competitor-...