Research Terms
Keywords
Biology And Control Of Termites Structual Pests
Industries
Su, N.-Y. 2011. Technological needs for sustainable termite management. Sociobiology 58: 229-239
Lee, S.-H., and N.-Y. Su. 2011. Territory size distribution of Formosan subterranean termites in urban landscape: Comparison between experimental and simulated results. J. Asia-Pacific Entomol. 14: 1-6 (doi:10.1016/j.aspen.2010.11.002)
Li, H.-F., N.-Y. Su, W.-J. Wu, and E-L. Hsu. 2011. Termite pests and their control in Taiwan. Sociobiology 57: 575-586
Li, H.-F., Y.-C. Lan, and N.-Y. Su. 2011. Redescription of Prorhinotermes japonicus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from Taiwan. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 104: 878-885 (doi: 10.1603/AN11064)
Bujang, N. S., N. A. Harrison, and N.-Y. Su. 2011. An improved method for extraction and purification of termite endo-1,4-glucanase from FTA cards. Florida Entomol. 94: 356-358
Mullins, A. J., N.-Y. Su, and C. Owens. 2011. Reinvasion and colony expansion of Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) after areawide elimination. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 1687-1697 (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EC11036)
Chouvenc, T., N.-Y. Su, and A. Robert. 2011. Differences in cellular encapsulation of six termite (Isoptera) species against infection by the entomolpathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Florida Entomol. 94: 389-397 (doi: 10.1653/024.094.0302)
Chouvenc, T., N.-Y. Su, and K. Grace 2011. Fifty years of attempted biological control of termites – Analysis of a failure. Biological Control. 59: 69-82 (doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2011.06.015)
Li, H.-F. Lin, J.-S., Lan, Y.-C., Pei, K., and N.-Y. Su. 2011. Survey of the termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae) in a Formosan Pangolin habitat. Florida Entomol. 94: 534-538 (doi: 10.1653/024.094.0318)
Chouvenc, T., P. Bardunias, H.-F. Li, M. L. Elliot, and N.-Y. Su. 2011. Planar arenas for use in laboratory bioassay studies of subterranean termites (Rhinotermitidae). Florida Entomol. 94: 817-826 (doi: 10.1653/024.094.0413)
Rust, M., and N.-Y. Su. 2012. Managing social insects of urban importance. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 57: 355–75 (doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120710-100634)
Ku, S. J., N.-Y. Su, and S.-H. Lee. 2012. Measurement of time taken by the Formosan termite, Coptotermes formosanus, to pass tunnel intersections. J. Insect Sci. 12: 1-6.
Cohnstaedt, L. W., K. Rochon, A. J. Duehl, J. F. Anderson, R. Barrera, N.-Y. Su, A. C. Gerry, P. J. Obenauer, J. F. Campbell, T. J. Lysyk, and S. A. Allan. 2012. Arthropod surveillance programs: basic components, strategies, and analysis. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 105: 135-149 (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/AN11127)
Chouvenc, T., and N.-Y. Su. 2012. When subterranean termites challenge the rules of fungal epizootics. PLoS ONE 7: e34484. (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034484)
Owens, C. B., N.-Y. Su, C. Husseneder, C. Riegel, and K. S. Brown. 2012. Molecular genetic evidence of Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) colony survivorship after prolonged inundation. J. Econ. Entomol. 105: 518-522. (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EC11150)
Ku, S. J., W. Jeon, N.-Y. Su, and S.-H. Lee. 2012. Analysis of the responses of termites to tunnel irregularity. Insect. Soc. 59: 549-555 (DOI 10.1007/s00040-012-0250-x)
Chouvenc, T., C. A. Efstathion, M. L. Elliott, and N.-Y. Su. 2012. Resource competition between two fungal parasites in subterranean termites. Naturwissenschaften, 99: 949-958 (DOI 10.1007/s00114-012-0977-2)
Su, N.-Y., A. Lagnaoui, Q. Wang, X. Li, and S. Tan. 2012. A demonstration project of Stockholm POPs Convention to replace chlordane and mirex with IPM for termite control in China. J. Integ. Pest Mngmt. 4: 1-8 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/IPM12020)
Li, H.-F., I. Fujisaki, and N.-Y. Su. 2013. Predicting habitat suitability of Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) with species distribution models. J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 311-321 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EC12309)
Ku, S. J., N.-Y. Su, and S.-H. Lee. 2013. Movement efficiency and behavior of termites (Isoptera) in tunnels with varying pore sizes. Florida Entomol. 96: 810-817
Chouvenc, T., C. A. Efstathion, M. L. Elliott, N.-Y. Su. 2013. Extended disease resistance emerging from the fecal nest of a subterranean termite. Proc. Royal Soc. B. 280: 20131885. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.1885
Xing, L., T. Chouvenc, and N.-Y. Su. 2013. Molting process in the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 106: 619-625 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN13007)
Su, N.-Y. 2013. How to become a successful invader. Florida Entomol. 96: 765-769 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1653/024.096.0309)
Chouvenc, T., P. Bardunias, C. A. Efstathion, S. Chakrabarti, M. L. Elliott, R. Giblin-Davis, and N.-Y. Su. 2013. Resource opportunities from the nest of dying subterranean termite colonies: A laboratory case of ecological succession. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 106: 771-778 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN13104)
Su, N.-Y. 2013. Estimating population size of large laboratory colonies of the Formosan subterranean termite by using the capture probability equilibrium. J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 2442 - 2447 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EC13258)
Chouvenc, T., A. J. Mullins, C. A. Efstathion, and N.-Y. Su. 2013. Virus-like symptoms in a termite field colony. Florida Entomol. 96: 1612-1614 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1653/024.096.0450)
Bujang, N. S., N. A. Harrison, and N.-Y. Su. 2014. Molecular cloning of five beta-glucosidases from four species of higher termites. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 107: 251-256 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN13012)
Bujang, N. S., N. A. Harrison, and N.-Y. Su. 2014. A phylogenetic study of endo-beta-1,4-glucanase in higher termites. Insectes Sociaux 61: 29-40 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00040-013-0321-7)
Cao, R., and N.-Y. Su. 2014. Tunneling and food transportation activity of four subterranean termite species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) at various temperatures. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 107: 696-701 (http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1603/AN13181)
Xing, L., T. Chouvenc, and N.-Y. Su. 2014. Behavioral and histological changes in the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) induced by the chitin synthesis inhibitor noviflumuron. J. Econ. Entomol. 107: 741-747 (http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1603/EC13254)
Chouvenc, T., and N.-Y. Su. 2014. Colony age-dependent pathway in caste development of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Insectes Sociaux 61: 171–182 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00040-014-0343-9)
Su, N.-Y. 2014. Asian Americans in entomology, and the future of science and engineering workforce in the United States. American Entomol. 60: 147-149
Su, N.-Y. 2014. Tokoyo no Kami, a caterpillar worshiped by a cargo cult in ancient Japan. American Entomol. 60: 182-188
Chouvenc, T., M. Basille, H.-F. Li, and N.-Y. Su. 2014. Developmental instability in incipient colonies of social insects. PloS ONE 9: e113949 (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113949)
Chouvenc, T., M. Basille, and N.-Y. Su. 2015. The production of soldiers and the maintenance of caste proportions delay the growth of termite incipient colonies. Insect. Soc. 62: 23–29 (DOI 10.1007/s00040-014-0369-z)
Su, N.-Y. 2015. A fluid-bait for remedial control of subterranean termites. J. Econ. Entomol. 108: 274-276 (DOI: 10.1093/jee/tou039)
Su, N.-Y. 2015. Current state of the Florida Entomological Society – 2014 FES presidential address. Florida Entomol. 98: 815-817
Mullins, A. J., M. Messenger, H. H. Hochmair, F. Tonini, N.-Y. Su, and C. Riegel. 2015. Dispersal flights of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 108: 702-719 (DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov022)
Chouvenc, T., E. E. Helmick, and N.-Y. Su. 2015. Hybridization of two major termite invaders as a consequence of human activity. PLoS ONE 10: e0120745 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0120745)
Li, H.-F., Y.-C. Lan, I. Fujisaki, N. Kanzaki, H.-J. Lee, and N.-Y. Su. 2015. Termite assemblage pattern and niche partitioning in a tropical forest ecosystem. Environ. Entomol. (doi: 10.1093/ee/nvv038)
Chouvenc, T., A. J. Mullins, and N.-Y. Su. 2015. Territorial status-quo between the big-headed any (Hymenoptera: Formicida) and the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Florida Entomol. 98: 157-161.
Cottone, C. B., N.-Y. Su, R. H. Scheffrahn, and C. Riegel. 2015. Survivorship of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in a hypoxic environment. Sociobiology 62: 76-81 (DOI: 10.13102/sociobiology.v62i1.76-81)
Scheffrahn, R. H., T. F. Carrijo, J. Krecek, N.-Y. Su, A. L. Szalanski, J. W. Austin, and J. Mangold. 2015. A single endemic and three exotic species of the termite genus Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the New World. Arthropod Systematics and Phylogyny, 73: 333-348.
Chouvenc, T., and N.-Y. Su. 2015. How do entomologists consume and produce their sciences? American Entomol. 61: 252-257
Chouvenc, T., H.-F. Li, J. Austin, C. Bordereau, T., Bourguignon, S. L. Cameron, E. M. Cancello, R. Constantino, A. Costa-Leonardo, P. Eggleton, T. A. Evans, B. Forschler, J. K. Grace, C. Husseneder, J. Crecek, C.Y. Lee, T. Lee, N. Lo, M. Messenger, A. Mullins, A. Robert, Y. Roisin, R. H. Scheffrahn, D. Sillam-Dusses, J. Sobotnik, A. Szalanski, Y. Takematsu, E. L. Vargo, A. Yamada, T. Yoshimura, and N.-Y. Su. 2015. Revisiting Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): a global taxonomic road map for species validity and distribution of an economically important subterranean termite genus. Systematic Entomol. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12157
Chouvenc, T., A. J. Mullins, and N.-Y. Su. 2015. Rare production of nymphs in an Asian subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) incipient colony. Florida Entomol. 98: 972-973.
Cao, R., and N.-Y. Su. 2016. Temperature preferences of four subterranean termite species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and temperature-dependent survivorship and wood-consumption rate. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 109: 64-71. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aesa/sav095
Kakkar, G., T. Chouvenc, and N.-Y. Su. 2016. Postecdysis sclerotization of mouthparts of the Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). J. Econ. Entomol. DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov394
Su, N.-Y., E. Guidry, A. J. Mullins, and C. Cotonne. 2016. Reinvasion dynamics of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) following the elimination of all detectable colonies in a large area. J. Econ. Entomol. doi: 10.1093/jee/tow018
Su, N.-Y., E. Guidry, and C. Cotonne. 2016. Sustainable management of subterranean termite populations (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Armstrong Park, New Orleans, with durable baits. J. Econ. Entomol. doi: 10.1093/jee/tow051
Florida Entomological Society, President; 2013 - 2014
Entomological Foundation, Board of Directors; 2011 - 2014
Entomological Society of America, Fellow; 2007 - present
International Union for Study of Social Insects, Member; 1984 - present
This termite detection system uses bait stations that automatically signal a communication receiver when a pre-determined amount of bait consumption is detected, allowing for efficient remote monitoring of multiple bait stations per dwelling. For pest control operators, this will greatly reduce time and labor costs required for regular inspection and maintenance. Detection systems identify the event of substantial consumption of baits by termites around structures. Only then is maintenance required: The consumed bait is replaced with a fresh bait to finish killing the termite colony as well as to intercept newly invading termite colony(s). This system of monitoring and selective treatment offers greater flexibility and environmental sustainability than the alternative, which requires application of a large quantity of pesticides around the entire periphery of the building in an effort to deter termite colonies. However, adoption of the use of bait station systems by homeowners and pest control operators is limited due to the costs associated with required site inspections of bait stations by trained personnel.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a termite bait station system that can be deployed for several years without maintenance and still reliably monitor termite feeding activity. The system eliminates need for regular on-site inspection by technicians and allows pest control operators to monitor a large number of bait stations at multiple sites remotely.
Remote termite-monitoring system that automatically notifies pest control personnel or homeowners when a substantial amount of bait is consumed by termites
This innovative remote monitoring system is designed to detect a single event of bait consumption at pre-determined quantity. Each bait station is comprised of two modules; 1) the sensor mechanism that is attached to a termite bait and is, by necessity, exposed to the corrosive soil environment, and 2) the electronic components and power source that are sealed and completely protected from corrosion. A mechanical system is used to detect feeding activity which triggers and activates the electronic components. For any given building or structure, an array of bait stations are deployed around the periphery of the building and when one (or more) is triggered (by termite feeding activity) it transmits a signal alert to an on-site receiver. The receiver connects to the internet or local WiFi network, alerting the pest control operator (and, or homeowner) regarding the location of termite feeding activity. This system eliminates the need for regular bait station inspections to assess termite activity.
This fluid bait matrix is injected into active termite infestations to eliminate the termite colonies. Termite infestations—which cost Americans more than $20 billion every year—can be especially troublesome because by the time damage becomes noticeable, the termites already have caused considerable destruction. Typically, pest-control companies install in-ground (IG) stations that have to be intercepted by termites before baits are consumed. However, it may take weeks and sometimes months before termites intercept the IG stations. Another bait system, above-ground (AG) stations containing baits, are designed to be placed directly on active termite feeding sites for immediate bait consumption. But it is often challenging to install AG stations in tight spots or on an uneven surface. Some homeowners dislike the AG systems because they are unsightly and because pest control professionals must have access inside the home for routine service. Hence, despite the potential of an immediate bait delivery and faster colony elimination, AG systems are not frequently used. University of Florida researchers have developed a fluid bait matrix that exterminators can inject into areas where termite activity is found, effectively eliminating problems encountered by other systems. A large quantity of fluid baits can be applied for immediate bait consumption by termites, resulting in faster colony elimination.
Remedial control of active termite infestations through injectable fluid bait
This fluid bait matrix combines techniques used to exterminate termite infestations. Previous formulations have relied on adding the active ingredients directly into the liquid mixture, which risks dehydration and an imbalance of concentrations of active ingredients. However, this mixture of active ingredients adheres to cellulose particles, which are suspended in a fluid. The fluid is then injected into areas where termite infestations are suspected or confirmed to exist. The liquid pools in voids created by the termites. The active ingredients are slow-acting, taking several weeks to take effect. This allows time for termites to bring the bait back to other termites in the colony. In addition to (non-repellant) insect growth inhibitors, the bait mixture also can include phagostimulants, chemicals that induce the termites to eat even more of the bait.
