Performance of Altriset™ (Chlorantraniliprole) Termiticide Against Formosan Subterranean Termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, in Laboratory Feeding Cessation and Collateral Transfer Trials, and Field Applications

Chlorantraniliprole represents the first compound to be registered as a termiticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in over a decade. This novel termiticide is currently registered as a ‘reduced-risk pesticide’ by the EPA. Laboratory and field trials were conducted to quantify mortality of Formosan subterranean termites (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki resulting from chlorantraniliprole treated soil, the degree to which the termites curtail feeding intensity post-exposure to chlorantraniliprole treated soil, collateral transfer of chlorantraniliprole among nest mates, and the effectiveness of chlorantraniliprole as a remedial treatment against structural infestations of FST. Termites which were exposed to chlorantraniliprole treated soil consumed significantly less paper than unexposed FST. The mean percent mortality of those termites exposed to chlorantraniliprole treated soil was significantly greater than that of unexposed FST. Depending on donor:recipient ratios, the mean mortality of recipients ranged from 14.65 – 90.00 % in the collateral transfer trials. There was a positive correlation between increased donor density and recipient mortality. Through 24 mo post-treatment, 27.3% of the structures which were treated in field trials were observed to have infestations of termites that required re-treatment; however, no active FST were observed to be infesting any of the structures during the 30 and 36 month post-treatment inspections. Additionally, a novel scoring rubric was developed that will allow standardization of field study sites with respect to dissimilarity in site variables, and will allow for more consistent comparison of resultsacross disparate field experiments. An explanation for the lack of successful remediation of many of the structures involved in the field trial is proposed and is based on our novel scoring system

Habitat Associations of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) and Introduced Populations of Pseudacteon spp. Phorid Flies

Habitat selection is one of many aspects of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, (RIFA) that has been intensively studied since their initial introduction in the United States. Concurrently, innumerable studies have attempted to identify effective chemical insecticides for RIFA control. More recently, several species of Pseudacteon spp. phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae) have been intensively evaluated to determine their potential utility in biologica control of RIFA. These flies belong to a suite of natural enemies of RIFA in their native South American range, and have been selected for release in the United States as biological control agents against RIFA. It is hypothesized that phorid flies, through parasitism and suppression of RIFA foraging, will provide measureable RIFA population suppression as phorid ranges expand and fly densities increase. Relatively little scientific attention has been paid to habitat selection and partitioning by these flies in their introduced range(s) in the US. We assessed RIFA and phorid (Pseudacteon curvatus and Pseudacteon tricuspis) densities in four central Texas habitats. The habitat types selected represent a continuum of habitat diversity, micro-habitat availability, and plant heterogeneity. Within the habitat types studied, RIFA mound densitieswere significantly different, but foraging intensity was not significantly different in three of four habitat types. Population densities of P. curvatus were determined to be significantly higher in one habitat than all others. Alternatively, P. tricuspis densities followed a trend within the surveyed habitats that correlated with RIFA densities observed in this study. These data imply that the successful release, establishment, and range expansion of P. curvatus may require a greater degree of critical consideration regarding the ecologyof each system into which they are released, as opposed to P. tricuspis. These implications also suggest that the successful establishment of additional phorid species in the US should take into consideration the habitat matrix and habitat-based expansion corridors available to the flies.

Performance of Altriset (TM) (Chlorantraniliprole) Termiticide Against Formosan Subterranean Termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, in Laboratory Feeding Cessation and Collateral Transfer Trials, and Field Applications

Chlorantraniliprole represents the first compound to be registered as a termiticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in over a decade. This novel termiticide is currently registered as a 'reduced-risk pesticide' by the EPA. Laboratory and field trials were conducted to quantify mortality of Formosan subterranean termites (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki resulting from chlorantraniliprole treated soil, the degree to which the termites curtail feeding intensity post-exposure to chlorantraniliprole treated soil, collateral transfer of chlorantraniliprole among nest mates, and the effectiveness of chlorantraniliprole as a remedial treatment against structural infestations of HT. Termites which were exposed to chlorantraniliprole treated soil consumed significantly less paper than unexposed FST. The mean percent mortality of those termites exposed to chlorantraniliprole treated soil was significantly greater than that of unexposed FST. Depending on donor:recipient ratios, the mean mortality of recipients ranged from 14.65 - 90.00 % in the collateral transfer trials. There was a positive correlation between increased donor density and recipient mortality. Through 24 mo post-treatment, 27.3% of the structures which were treated in field trials were observed to have infestations of termites that required re-treatment; however, no FST were observed during the 30 and 36 month post-treatment inspections. Additionally, a novel scoring rubric was developed that will allow standardization of field study sites with respect to dissimilarity in site variables, and will allow for more consistent comparison of results across disparate field experiments. An explanation for the lack of successful remediation of many of the structures involved in the field trial is proposed and is based on our novel scoring system

Effect of Laundering Procedures and Functional Finishes on Removal of Insecticides Selected from Three Chemical Classes

Eleven pesticides from three chemical classes were chosen for comparison of residues after laundering. Pesticide was introduced to the fabric surface of one of three fabrics--unfinished (UN), renewable consumer applied fluorocarbon finished (RF), and commercially applied fluorocarbon finished (CM) fabric. The fabrics were laundered using one of three laundry treatments--a heavy-duty liquid detergent (HDL) alone, an HDL with a prewash spray, and an HDL with an agriculturally marketed pretreatment. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that the fluorocarbon-finished fabrics absorbed only 10% of the pesticide absorbed by the UN fabrics. Residues after laundering were significantly different both among and within classes. Although both fluorocarbon finishes reduced absorption of pesticide, they did not facilitate removal of the contaminant through laundering. Laundry additives significantly aided residue reduction

Paleoproterozoic sterol biosynthesis and the rise of oxygen

Natural products preserved in the geological record can function as ‘molecular fossils’, providing insight into organisms and physiologies that existed in the deep past. One important group of molecular fossils is the steroidal hydrocarbons (steranes), which are the diagenetic remains of sterol lipids. Complex sterols with modified side chains are unique to eukaryotes, although simpler sterols can also be synthesized by a few bacteria. Sterol biosynthesis is an oxygen-intensive process; thus, the presence of complex steranes in ancient rocks not only signals the presence of eukaryotes, but also aerobic metabolic processes. In 1999, steranes were reported in 2.7 billion year (Gyr)-old rocks from the Pilbara Craton in Australia, suggesting a long delay between photosynthetic oxygen production and its accumulation in the atmosphere (also known as the Great Oxidation Event) 2.45–2.32 Gyr ago. However, the recent reappraisal and rejection of these steranes as contaminants pushes the oldest reported steranes forward to around 1.64 Gyr ago (ref. 6). Here we use a molecular clock approach to improve constraints on the evolution of sterol biosynthesis. We infer that stem eukaryotes shared functionally modern sterol biosynthesis genes with bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. Comparing multiple molecular clock analyses, we find that the maximum marginal probability for the divergence time of bacterial and eukaryal sterol biosynthesis genes is around 2.31 Gyr ago, concurrent with the most recent geochemical evidence for the Great Oxidation Event. Our results therefore indicate that simple sterol biosynthesis existed well before the diversification of living eukaryotes, substantially predating the oldest detected sterane biomarkers (approximately 1.64 Gyr ago), and furthermore, that the evolutionary history of sterol biosynthesis is tied to the first widespread availability of molecular oxygen in the ocean–atmosphere system

Factors that influence tunneling in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae

ABSTRACT Although subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) foraging behavior involves the construction of gallery systems in soil, few studies have examined how colony size or soil environmental factors influence rates of construction and morphology of gallery systems. In this study, we investigated the effects of soil texture, soil moisture, and termite density on the rate of tunnel construction and tunnel morphology in Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Tunneling rate and tunnel morphology were measured in laboratory arenas by simulating a thin slice of subterranean habitat. Tunneling rates were faster in arenas containing soils with higher sand concentrations. High termite densities had little effect on tunneling rates in small gallery systems, but differences were observed after gallery systems became large. The rate of tunnel construction along edges of tunneling arenas was significantly greater than in the interior. Tunneling distance on days after the addition of water was higher than on days prior to adding water. Differences in tunnel morphology were variable and were not associated with treatment levels in any of these experiments. The results of this study suggest that R. flavipes tunneling rates are strongly influenced by environment, whereas tunnel morphology is variable but not associated with any of the factors we examined. Key environmental variables include soil texture, moisture availability, and tactile orienting stimuli

Fabric Parameters and Pesticide Characteristics That Impact on Dermal Exposure of Applicators

Fabric functional finish and formulation of pesticides are factors that contribute to pesticide wicking, wetting, and penetration. Fluorocarbon soil-repellent finishes inhibit contamination of the fabric and of sentinel pads. An undergarment layer offers better protection than does a single layer. Spun-bonded olefin offers protection of the same magnitude as soil-repellent finishes. Methyl parathion residues after laundering were similar for the unfinished fabric, the durable-press finished fabric, and the soil-repellent finished fabric, but the initial contamination of the soil-repellent finished fabric was only 20~ of that of the other two fabrics

Bed Bugs

2 pp., 1 illustrationBed bugs infest beds, bedding and furniture and feed on the blood of humans. This publication explains how to identify bed bugs, how to locate infestations and how to control these pests

Seasonality Directs Contrasting Food Collection Behavior and Nutrient Regulation Strategies in Ants

Long-lived animals, including social insects, often display seasonal shifts in foraging behavior. Foraging is ultimately a nutrient consumption exercise, but the effect of seasonality per se on changes in foraging behavior, particularly as it relates to nutrient regulation, is poorly understood. Here, we show that field-collected fire ant colonies, returned to the laboratory and maintained under identical photoperiod, temperature, and humidity regimes, and presented with experimental foods that had different protein (p) to carbohydrate (c) ratios, practice summer- and fall-specific foraging behaviors with respect to protein-carbohydrate regulation. Summer colonies increased the amount of food collected as the p:c ratio of their food became increasingly imbalanced, but fall colonies collected similar amounts of food regardless of the p:c ratio of their food. Choice experiments revealed that feeding was non-random, and that both fall and summer ants preferred carbohydrate-biased food. However, ants rarely ate all the food they collected, and their cached or discarded food always contained little carbohydrate relative to protein. From a nutrient regulation strategy, ants consumed most of the carbohydrate they collected, but regulated protein consumption to a similar level, regardless of season. We suggest that varied seasonal food collection behaviors and nutrient regulation strategies may be an adaptation that allows long-lived animals to meet current and future nutrient demands when nutrient-rich foods are abundant (e.g. spring and summer), and to conserve energy and be metabolically more efficient when nutritionally balanced foods are less abundant

Carpenter Ants

4 pp., 1 photo, 1 figureThis publication shows how homeowners can minimize damage from carpenter ants. It explains how to identify the ants, recognize their nest site preferences, and take proper preventive and control measures