Beginning in May 1998, Formosan subterranean termite (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), colonies were characterized using triple mark-recapture studies in 31-acre Louis Armstrong Park. Fourteen different FST colonies were identified by June 2001. Then, three selected colonies were eliminated using baits containing hexaflumuron by mid-September 2001, and each vacated foraging territory was monitored for re-invasion by neighboring FST and/or Reticulitermes flavipes (Banks) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) colonies. As a result, neighboring colonies re-invaded each of the three vacated territories, and in some cases, within days of complete selected colony elimination. Further details on each re-invasion scenario will be discussed.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite)
Species 2: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes flavipes (eastern subterranean termite)
Keywords: colony elimination
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