The ongoing area-wide treatment program in a 15-block area in the French Quarter of New Orleans is aimed at reducing the population density of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. The program, consisting of treatment of nearly all properties within the 15 blocks using population-reducing products, was begun in 1998. As one tool to assess the program’s effectiveness, estimates of numbers of alates were made from late April through early July of each year using glue cards hung within 2 meters of lamps on light poles at locations distributed within and outside the 15-block area. Based on the location, the traps were grouped into 3 treatment categories (inside, outside, and border). In 1998, alate counts were not significantly different among treatments. In 1999, traps placed outside the 15-block area had higher number of alates than traps on the border. In 2000 and 2001, higher numbers of alates were found on traps placed outside the 15-block area compared with traps within or bordering the 15-block area, despite the fact that up to 40% of properties outside the 15-block area appear to have some termite control treatment. Alate counts were significantly different among years. A treatment by year interaction was not found. Peak swarms occurred typically on the same date in all of the monitoring areas. In 2001, one delayed major swarm appeared within the treated area.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite)
Keywords: termite, alate
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA