Article
Biology
Janet McDonald, Chris Fitzgerald, Babar Hassan, Jeffrey J. Morrell
Summary: This study explored the effects of heat treatment at lower temperatures on West Indian drywood termites. It was found that exposure to 40 degrees C for an extended period did not kill the termites, but 1-hour exposure at 45 degrees C was lethal. Short-term exposures at 50 or 55 degrees C could be used to eliminate termite infestations.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ayaka Agarie, Yasushi Miyaguni, Koji Sugio, Kazuki Tsuji, Kazuya Kobayashi
Summary: Selfish genetic elements (SGEs) enhance their transmission efficiency at the expense of individual fitness, leading to intragenomic conflict over sex ratio distortion and the evolution of sex-determining systems. However, limited research in non-Dipteran insects has hindered our understanding of the role of SGEs in insect sex determination. In this study, cross-breeding experiments were conducted on Ryukyu drywood termites to detect SGEs and resistance genes, revealing male-biased sex ratios in Okinawa but not in Ishigaki.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Jia-Wei Tay, Devon James
Summary: The West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis, poses a significant economic threat in various regions worldwide. Heat treatment is an effective nonchemical option to manage them, with improved methods showing better heat penetration to kill the termites.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Y. Miyaguni, A. Agarie, K. Sugio, K. Tsuji, K. Kobayashi
Summary: The study on Ryukyu dry-wood termite Neotermes sugioi found that despite the longer lifespan of queens compared to kings, the sex allocation in the species was biased towards males instead of females. It was also observed that intrasexual competition among siblings could not explain the male-biased sex ratio in the populations studied.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Babar Hassan, Chris Fitzgerald, Rica Minett
Summary: Laboratory tests compared the effects of different deposit conditions, exposure methods, and exposure times on the toxicity, repellency, and horizontal transfer of imidacloprid and fipronil foams. Results showed that fipronil foam killed termites more quickly than imidacloprid foam, especially when applied topically. Imidacloprid foam showed repellency effects, while fipronil foam did not repel termites. Transfer of the insecticides to untreated termites from exposed donors was observed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rudy Plarre, Andrea Zocca, Andrea Spitzer, Sigrid Benemann, Anna A. Gorbushina, Yuexuan Li, Anja Waske, Alexander Funk, Janka Wilbig, Jens Guenster
Summary: The frass of larvae of the European house borer and drywood termites was tested as a natural feedstock for 3D-printing of wood-based materials. The filigree-like particles flow easily permitting the build-up of wood-based structures in a layer wise fashion using the Binder Jetting printing process.
Article
Entomology
David Zilberman, Vernard R. Lewis
Summary: This study examines the net social cost of restricting sulfuryl fluoride (SF) as a greenhouse gas and evaluates the impact of three approaches to address drywood termite control. The results indicate that restricting SF would increase the cost per ton of CO2 emissions and have implications for low-income individuals and the environment. The authors recommend continued use of SF until a comparable alternative is developed.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Robin Casalla, H. Rudolf Scheffrahn, Judith Korb
Summary: A new species, Rugitermes ursulae sp. nov., has been described from a sample collected in a tropical dry forest on Colombia's Caribbean coast. The soldiers and imagoes of Rugitermes ursulae sp. nov. are the smallest among all Rugitermes species described so far. Soldier characters, such as the subflangular elevation and shape of the antennal sockets, are included in the description to aid in identification of samples lacking imagoes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vera Andjic, Aaron Maxwell, Michael Gorton, Diane M. White
Summary: In this study, a novel DNA-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed to detect Cryptotermes brevis, enabling faster and less destructive management of drywood termite infestations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Petr Stiblik, Pierre Dieudonne Akama, Jan Sobotnik
Summary: This study reports the complete mitochondrial genome of the drywood termite Cryptotermes havilandi and shows that its gene content and synteny are similar to other termite species. Through a phylogenetic analysis, the position of C. havilandi within Kalotermitidae was determined by comparing its mitochondrial genome with 14 other species.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Aaron Mullins, Rudolf Scheffrahn, Nan-Yao Su
Summary: Recent research has found that the subterranean termite depends on dietary nitrogen, and nitrogen fixation plays a crucial role in its nitrogen acquisition. The study also suggests that the nitrogenase assay used can be a potential tool to measure the dependence on nitrogen fixation in different termite species.
ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Martin Horwood, Nathan Lo
Summary: The western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor, is a highly damaging termite species that has spread across the USA, China, Japan, and other countries. The first infestation in Australia was detected in Sydney in 2019, believed to have originated from imported timbers. Measures have been taken to eradicate the termite and prevent its further spread. Due to its potential economic impacts, government biosecurity organizations should focus on developing management systems for drywood termites in buildings.
AUSTRAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Aya Najjari, Ahmed Taheri, David Hernandez-Teixidor, James K. Wetterer
Summary: Cryptotermes brevis is an important structural pest that is native to the coastal desert area of Peru and Chile and commonly occurs outdoors in riparian habitats and irrigated agricultural areas. The recent discovery of this invasive termite in the agricultural habitat of the Moroccan Sahara Desert is the first outdoor report of the species in the Old World. Its potential impact as a pest in North Africa remains uncertain.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
G. R. Stirling, A. M. Stirling, L. Eden
Summary: The southern sting nematode (Ibipora lolii) is the most damaging nematode pest of turfgrass in Australia, with recent evidence of interstate transfer from Victoria to Queensland. Despite this transfer, Queensland is considered provisionally free of I. lolii, based on extensive surveillance and successful eradication efforts at the Brisbane Cricket Ground (the Gabba) following the infestation. Queensland biosecurity authorities are advised to prioritize I. lolii as a potential threat and implement strategies to prevent its further spread within the state.
AUSTRALASIAN PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
James C. Kawagoe, Adelaine E. Abrams, Austin P. Lourie, Spencer S. Walse
Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a significant agricultural pest that can also cause disturbances in urban and commercial areas. This study investigates the use of ethyl formate fumigation for controlling adult BMSB.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Babar Hassan, Jeffrey J. Morrell
Summary: The protection of wood against termites is a major global problem, with field trials often lacking the necessary control and reproducibility. This has led many researchers to use laboratory methods to evaluate new wood preservatives or timber suitability. The development of these methods over many years in different regions with varying termite species and risks has made comparisons challenging.
JOURNAL OF TESTING AND EVALUATION
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Zarnab Fatima, Sohail Ahmed, Babar Hassan
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of neem and sesame oils on poplar wood resistance to subterranean termites, finding neem oil to be more protective than sesame oil. When combined, neem and sesame oils significantly improved wood resistance. Heat treatment alone was insufficient, with the best treatment condition being a combination of neem and sesame oils at 75% and 25% respectively at 200 degrees C for 6 hours.
MADERAS-CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sohail Ahmed, Muzammal H. Tabassum, Babar Hassan
Summary: The termiticide, repellent, and antifeedant activities of Pongamia pinnata wood extracts were evaluated against Coptotermes heimi. The ethyl acetate-based wood extracts showed the highest efficacy in terms of mortality and repellency.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Janet McDonald, Chris Fitzgerald, Babar Hassan, Jeffrey J. Morrell
Summary: This study explored the effects of heat treatment at lower temperatures on West Indian drywood termites. It was found that exposure to 40 degrees C for an extended period did not kill the termites, but 1-hour exposure at 45 degrees C was lethal. Short-term exposures at 50 or 55 degrees C could be used to eliminate termite infestations.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Jerrold E. Winandy, Babar Hassan, Jeffrey J. Morrell
Summary: The translation discusses the importance of incising technology in wood treatment to increase longitudinal fluid flow and preservative penetration. Incising can be physical or biological, using various tools and techniques. The article also outlines the development, processes, applications, and effects of incising technology, and discusses its impact on the treatability and strength properties of wood.
WOOD MATERIAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Brogan A. Amos, Michael J. Furlong, Diana M. Leemon, Bronwen W. Cribb, R. Andrew Hayes
Summary: This study investigated the effect of rearing environment on the cuticular chemical profile of the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida. The findings showed that the rearing environment had significant qualitative and quantitative effects on the detected hydrocarbons in the beetle's cuticles.
Review
Forestry
Jerrold E. Winandy, Felix Wiesner, Babar Hassan, Jeffrey J. Morrell
Summary: Wood is considered more environmentally sustainable due to its low embodied energy, workability, and renewability, but it is prone to biological degradation and fire. Effective designs and treatments are used to address biodegradation, while fire resistive coatings or impregnation with fire retardants are explored to improve fire performance in timber construction.
Article
Microbiology
Harrchun Panchalingam, Daniel Powell, Cherrihan Adra, Keith Foster, Russell Tomlin, Bonnie L. Quigley, Sharon Nyari, R. Andrew Hayes, Alison Shapcott, D. Ipek Kurtboke
Summary: This study discovered the antagonistic abilities of two Trichoderma strains against Pyrrhoderma noxium, including mycoparasitic mechanisms and production of antifungal compounds. Induced expression of biological control activity associated genes was also observed during the interaction between Trichoderma strains and the pathogen. Additionally, the Trichoderma strains were found to produce compounds promoting plant growth. These results suggest that Trichoderma strains have potential as biological control agents against Pyrrhoderma noxium.
Article
Entomology
Siqi Chen, Daifeng Cheng, Zhen Liu, Babar Hassan, Yijuan Xu
Summary: This study investigated the actinobacterial communities in Odontotermes formosanus individuals and their fungal combs. The results showed the diversity of actinobacteria and their asymmetric antifungal activities. The study also revealed variations in the relative abundance of Coriobacteriia among different termite groups.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Janet Mcdonald, Christopher Fitzgerald, Babar Hassan, Jeffrey Morrell
Summary: A microwave-based non-destructive method was evaluated for its ability to detect termite activity in timber. The device displayed a high probability of successfully detecting termites in naturally infested boards, even with the presence of a single termite. However, the detection sensitivity of the device decreased in denser wood.
Article
Physiology
Rahat Afza, Ayesha Afzal, Muhammad Asam Riaz, Muhammad Zeeshan Majeed, Atif Idrees, Ziyad Abdul Qadir, Muhammad Afzal, Babar Hassan, Jun Li
Summary: This study evaluated the sublethal and transgenerational effects of six commonly used synthetic insecticides on the fitness and predation behavior of the seven-spotted ladybeetle. The results showed that all insecticides significantly suppressed the emergence of adults, fertility, and fecundity of the beetles. The larval stage was prolonged and the biological parameters of adults were reduced. Chlorpyrifos, profenofos, lambda-cyhalothrin, and cypermethrin exhibited more deleterious effects compared to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Babar Hassan, Chris Fitzgerald, Rica Minett
Summary: Laboratory tests compared the effects of different deposit conditions, exposure methods, and exposure times on the toxicity, repellency, and horizontal transfer of imidacloprid and fipronil foams. Results showed that fipronil foam killed termites more quickly than imidacloprid foam, especially when applied topically. Imidacloprid foam showed repellency effects, while fipronil foam did not repel termites. Transfer of the insecticides to untreated termites from exposed donors was observed.
Article
Entomology
Babar Hassan, Chris Fitzgerald
Summary: The study assessed the potential of aerosol-containing synergized pyrethrins as a spot treatment option for West Indian drywood termite (WIDT). The results showed that the aerosol was effective in killing the termites and could penetrate through fecal pellets and termite galleries. This study suggests that aerosol-containing synergized pyrethrins can be a viable choice for treating WIDT.
