Jan Krecek

Synonymy of Neotropical Arboreal Termites Nasutitermes corniger and N. costalis (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), with Evidence from Morphology, Genetics, and Biogeography

Abstract Morphological examination of soldiers and imagos assigned to Nasutitermes corniger or N. costalis from 13 Neotropical countries and 42 West Indian islands revealed congruent characters and biometric overlap. A portion of the mitochondrial DNA 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from nine N. costalis and N. corniger samples. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the N. costalis/corniger DNA sequences relative to other Nasutitermes spp. supported the morphological evidence that these species are conspecific. Complementary biological, behavioral, biochemical, and reproductive ecology further support the presented synonymy. The senior synonym, N. corniger, is given nomenclatural precedence. The geographical distribution of N. corniger is revised.

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the West Indies

Abstract A phylogenetic analysis of Heterotermes from 63 locations in the West Indies and associated mainland is presented based on the DNA sequence of a portion of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Maximum parsimony analysis of the aligned Heterotermes species and the outgroup taxa resulted in a consensus tree with five distinct West Indian groups. Morphological characters and geographical distribution supported the resulting clades, which were given the following taxonomic assignments: Heterotermes cardini (Bahamas and Cuba); Heterotermes sp. (Bonaire, FL; Grand Cayman; Grand Turk; Jamaica; and St. Barthelemy), Heterotermes convexinotatus (Antigua, Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Venezuela, and Virgin Island), and Heterotermes tenuis (Lesser Antilles except Barbados and Martinique, Ecuador, and Suriname). The Florida Heterotermes sp. is a known nonendemic population, whereas those on Barbados, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, Martinique, St. Barthelemy, and elsewhere may harbor or consist solely of nonendemic populations.

Taxonomy, Distribution, and Notes on the Termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae) of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Abstract Termite surveys from Buck, Culebra, Mona, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, and Vieques islands yielded 1,564 colony samples from 274 sites. Twenty-one species were recorded including: Cryptotermes brevis, Cryptotermes havilandi, Cryptotermes rotundiceps, Cryptotermes undulans, Glyptotermes liberatus, Glyptotermes pubescens, Incisitermes bequaerti, Incisitermes furvus, Incisitermes incisus, Neotermes intracaulis n. sp., Neotermes mona, and Procryptotermes corniceps (Kalotermitidae); Coptotermes havilandi, Heterotermes sp., and Prorhinotermes simplex (Rhinotermitidae); and Anoplotermes n. sp. undescribed, Caribitermes discolor, Nasutitermes acajutlae, Nasutitermes costalis, Parvitermes wolcotti, and Termes hispaniolae (Termitidae). Of these, twelve are West Indian endemics, six have endemic ranges that include the tropical American mainland, and three are nonendemic pests. Distribution maps and keys based on the soldier caste and the winged imago are provided. Neotermes intracaulis, a new species from St. Croix, is described from the imago and soldier. Additional descriptions or redescriptions are given for G. liberatus (imago), I. incisus (imago and soldier), Ca. discolor (imago and soldier), and Pa. wolcotti (imago). An understanding of West Indian termite biogeography relies on current faunal distributions and the few fossil termites available from Hispaniola. Over-water dispersal of termites on flotsam is the most plausible mechanism for contemporary distributions, however, vicariate speciation cannot be discounted for species that are poor dispersalists. Faunal composition of Puerto Rican and the Virgin Islands termites suggest a biogeographical origin that is derived from both western and southern mainland sources.

Establishment of the African termite, Coptotermes sjostedti (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), on the Island of Guadeloupe, French West Indies

Abstract Based on morphological and genetic comparisons, an established population of the African termite, Coptotermes sjostedti Holmgren, was identified on the island of Guadeloupe. This is the sixth recorded species of an endemic Old World termite becoming established in the New World. We hypothesize that this species arrived from tropical West Africa by maritime transport.

Synonymy of Two Arboreal Termites (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae): Nasutitermes corniger from the Neotropics and N. polygynus from New Guinea

Abstract Morphological examination of soldiers and imagos assigned to Nasutitermes polygynus from New Guinea were determined to be conspecific with the neotropical species, N. corniger. A portion of the mtDNA 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from nine N. corniger samples and found to be congruent with that reported for N. polygynus. Complementary biological, behavioral, chemical, and reproductive ecology data further support this synonymy. Nasutitermes corniger was likely introduced to New Guinea as a result of accidental human transport.

Chemical Prevention of Colony Foundation by Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in Attic Modules

Abstract Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) dust, DOT aqueous solution, imidacloprid dust, and amorphous silica gel dust with synergized 1% pyrethrins were applied on wood surfaces to simulated attic modules. Modules (30 by 30 cm) with and without fiberglass insulation were exposed to dispersal flights of Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) in May and June of 1998 and 1999. Six months after flights, modules were disassembled and inspected for nuptial chamber location and contents. During both years, air and water control treatments contained 22.2 ± 9.94 (mean ± SD) nuptial chambers, 7.5 ± 5.7 live imagos, and 2.0 ± 1.4 chambers with brood. This survivorship indicated that the attic modules performed well as a colonizing platform for C. brevis. C. brevis dealates preferred constructing nuptial chambers in the crevices at the bases or tops of the modules instead of internal crevices. Modules treated in 1998 and 1999 with DOT or silica dusts contained no live termites, whereas zero of five modules treated with imidacloprid dust in 1998 and two of 20 modules treated with imidacloprid dust in 1999 contained single live incipient colonies. In 1998, 15% DOT solution, applied as a postconstruction treatment, yielded significantly fewer chambers and live termites than controls, but was not as effective as dusts in preventing successful colonization. In 1999, the DOT solution, applied as a construction-phase treatment, was equally as effective in preventing colonization as the dust treatments during that year. Results indicate that dust formulations of DOT, silica gel, and imidacloprid can be used to prevent drywood termite colonization in existing building voids and attics. Where the entire wood framing is exposed to treatment, such as during building construction, aqueous DOT solution can be equally effective as dusts in preventing colonization by C. brevis.

First Record of Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) From the West Indies: R. Flavipes on Grand Bahama Island

REISS, A. 1971. Pollination and fruit set of Annona cherimola and Annona squamosa. M.Sc. thesis, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. SALISBURRY, F. B., AND C. W. Ross. 1978. Plant Physiology. Wadsworth Publishing Co., Inc. Belmont, CA. SAS INSTITUTE. 1987. SAS/STAT users guide, release 6.03 ed. SAS Institute, Cary, NC. SCHROEDER, C. A. 1971. Pollination of cherimoya. Calif. Avocado Soc. Yearbook 54: 119-122.

Survey of the Termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae) of Nicaragua

The termite fauna of Nicaragua is poorly known relative to that of other Central American countries such as Costa Rica and Panama (Constantino 1998; Nickle & Collins 1992). Maes (1990) published a list of 10 termite species from Nicaragua based on published records. Maes’ 1990 list consists of termites that can be grouped as arboreal nesters (3 Nasutitermes spp.), epigeal or soil nesters (3 Microcerotermes spp.), structure-infesting subterranean species (2 Coptotermes spp., 1 Heterotermes sp.), and two drywood/dampwood species (1 Incisitermes sp. and 1 Neotermes sp.). Termites with more cryptic habits, such as those that nest and forage in the soil or solely in wood were underrepresented in Maes’ list. This note presents the results of an initial survey of Nicaragua intended to systematically catalog all termite taxa of that country. During 30 May-5 June 2004, we collected 938 termite colony samples from 46 localities along roadsides and trails in as many geographically and ecologically diverse habitats as time and accessibility permitted (Fig. 1). Our survey yielded 35 species in 19 genera and three families representing one of the more diverse termite faunas in Mesoamerica (Constantino 1998). All species listed by Maes (1990) were collected by us, however, the validity of Coptotermes crassus Snyder and Cop. niger Snyder remain uncertain (R. H. Scheffrahn, unpublished data). We have identified all 54 of our Coptotermes samples as Co. testaceus (Linnaeus), but we herein report all three as being present in Nicaragua based on their current status, bringing the total faunal count for Nicaragua to 37 species, including 27 new species records (Table 1). Identifications were made by Krecek and Scheffrahn, and specimens are housed in the University of Florida Termite Collection, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. Our survey established significant new southern range extensions for Incisitermes nigritus (Snyder), Marginitermes hubbardi (Banks), Tenuirostritermes briciae (Snyder), T. incisus (Snyder), and Amitermes cryptodon Light (Table 1). We also report new northern range extensions for Calcaritermes brevicollis (Banks), Comatermes perfectus (Hagen), Cryptotermes dudleyi Banks, Glyptotermes angustus (Snyder), G. contracticornis (Snyder), Anoplotermes parvus Snyder, A. pyriformis Snyder, Atlantitermes kirbyi (Snyder), and Embiratermes chagresi (Snyder). The collections of Cryptotermes brevis (Walker), Cr. longicollis Banks, I. immigrans (Snyder), Neotermes castaneus (Burmeister), Amitermes beaumonti Banks, Coptotermes spp., Heterotermes convexinotatus (Snyder), Hoplotermes amplus Light, Microcerotermes arboreus Emerson, M. exiguus (Hagen), and M. gracilis Light join previously known ranges north and south of Nicaragua. We collected three apparently new species of soldierless termites (Termitidae: Apicotermitinae) and a new species of Nasutitermitinae that are likely members of undescribed genera. It is probable that several more described and new termite species remain to be discovered in Nicaragua considering the country’s size, centralized location, diversity of habitat, and the geographically limited extent of the current survey (Fig. 1). We thank Jean-Michel Maes, Museo Entomologico, Leon for collecting permits and Danilo Barquero for logistical assistance while in Nicaragua. W. H. Kern Jr. and Brian J. Cabrera reviewed this contribution No. R-10475 of the University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series.

Redescriptions of the Dampwood Termites Neotermes jouteli and N. luykxi (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) from Florida, Cuba, Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands

Abstract Two species of dampwood termites, Neotermes jouteli (Banks) and N. luykxi Nickle & Collins, are redescribed based on the imago and the small and large soldier caste. Morphological characters are reported to separate the above castes of these two species. N. jouteli occurs in southeastern Florida, the central Bahamas, Cuba, and Mexico. N. luykxi is endemic to southeastern Florida, the Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands, but is apparently absent from Cuba. A key to the Neotermes found sympatrically with N. luykxi is given.

Forum: Parvitermes Subtilis, A New Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Termitidae) from Cuba and the Dominican Republic

The soldier and worker caste of Parvitermes subtilis n. sp., from Cuba and the Dominican Republic, are described for the first time. A key to soldiers of West Indian species of Parvitermes sens. str. is provided.