Tuesday, 28 October 2003 - 1:24 PM
0745

This presentation is part of : Ten-Minute Papers, Section Fb. Urban Entomology

Discovery of an exotic termite in Florida and subsequent eradication efforts

Brian J. Cabrera1, Rudolf H. Scheffrahn1, and Steven E. Dwinnell2. (1) University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL, (2) Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Agricultural Environmental Services, 3125 Conner Blvd. Room 126, Tallahassee, FL

An established population of Nasutitermes costalis was discovered in Dania Beach, FL in May 2001 marking the first worldwide record of a higher termite established outside its endemic range. Extensive infestations were found in several structures, yards, wooded areas, and a vehicle storage lot—all within a 50-acre urban area. Five non-repellant insecticides were tested in the laboratory for efficacy against N. costalis and two were chosen for a large-scale treatment applied by ten pest control volunteers in April 2003. University and state department of agriculture personnel, state regulators, extension agents, local pest control operators, and pest management industry professionals were involved in this cooperative effort. Surveys to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and additional termiticide applications will continue as part of this unprecedented control program.

Species 1: Isoptera Termitidae Nasutitermes costalis
Keywords: Invasive species, termiticide

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