Paratransgenesis in termites

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Abstract

Termites (order Isoptera) comprise over 2,700 species and are of global importance as decomposers of lignocellulose material (Kambhampati and Eggleton, 2000; König et al., 2006). Over 80% of the approximately 183 economically important termite species are subterranean termites, with the genus Coptotermes accounting for the largest number (28) of pest species (Su and Scheffrahn, 1998). In the United States, the need for control of the native Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) and the invasive Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) supports a multimillion-dollar pest control industry (Su and Scheffrahn, 1998). The cost of control and repairs due to subterranean termite damage is estimated at over $2 billion per year in the United States alone (Culliney and Grace, 2000).

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Insect Symbiosis

First Page

361

Last Page

376

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