Historical landscape influence on subterranean termite (Isoptera: Reticulitermes) infestation frequencies in subdivisions

In Central Missouri, subdivisions tend to be built on previously agricultural or forested landscapes. Urbanization processes such as the development of a subdivision alter the historical plant distribution, soil moisture regimes, and soil chemistry, among other abiotic properties of the original landscape; however, it is not know if historical landscape conditions may also influence current subterranean termite (Isoptera: Reticulitermes) populations in subdivisions. The objectives of this study are to examine how termite infestation frequencies within subdivisions are influenced by historical landscape conditions and to examine how these infestation frequencies differ with subdivision age. We looked for evidence of subterranean termite treatment and collected termites from 10- and 20-year-old subdivisions built on historically agricultural or forested landscapes. We then compared termite infestation frequencies between subdivision types to determine if historical landscape significantly influences termite infestation frequency.