Ability of Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) colonies to survive prolonged inundation

Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, inundating approximately 80% of New Orleans, Louisiana for up to three weeks in some areas.  The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, has become a well-established structural pest since its introduction to New Orleans.  Previous studies determined that C. formosanus colonies survived prolonged flooding following Hurricane Katrina.  The goal of this study was to determine how C. formosanus colonies were able to survive this flooding.  A bioassay was conducted to determine if C. formosanus colonies survive inundation by creating a watertight environment within their nest.  Termite foragers were added to artificial trees made of hollowed tree trunks, then inundated every two weeks for increasing time intervals while their behavioral responses were observed.  Though there was no evidence of termites vertically evacuating to escape rising water, it was shown that C. formosanus colonies could have survived the flooding following Hurricane Katrina by creating a sealed nesting system and exploiting oxygen within pockets of air in the carton material or within the gallery systems above the water line.