Alate Production, Flight Phenology, and Sex-Ratio in Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, an Introduced Subterranean Termite in New Orleans, Louisiana

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-1996

Abstract

Formosan subterranean termite population growth and flight phenology was measured using light-traps in New Orleans, LA, for the years 1993, 1994, and 1995. Mate samples from collections in 1993 and 1994 also were sexed and found to have a 50% male/50% female sex-ratio for most flights. There were several peak swarm periods over the two-month flight season that were separated by a 5 to 9 day period of marked decreases in alate numbers. Over the 7 years that alates have been monitored in New Orleans (includes data from Henderson & Delaplane 1994) mean alate trap counts have increased with each year. These data indicate that Formosan subterranean termites have adapted well to New Orleans. It is suggested that the fusion of colonies and lack of territoriality permits this species to exploit its food resource more completely.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Sociobiology

First Page

319

Last Page

326

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