Biology and Management of the Formosan Subterranean Termite and Related Species offers an in-depth look at the Formosan subterranean termite, with plenty of useful tips for dealing with other Coptotermes species.
New books on termites are quite a rare thing. So, when a termite book is published, edited by two of the leading global experts on termites – Prof. Nan-Yao Su (University of Florida) and Prof. Chow-Yang Lee (University of California, Riverside) – with chapters written by many of the other leading termite researchers, it certainly merits a closer look.
As the book introduction points out, the Formosan termite, Coptotermes formosanus, holds claim to being the world’s most destructive termite, costing more than US$4 billion in treatment costs and damage repairs each year in the US alone. It is the only termite species listed in the top 100 world’s worst invasive pests, in the Global Invasive Species Database (2023). However, the closely related Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi, would be a challenger for the title of most invasive termite species globally. Despite its importance, no book has previously been published on the Formosan subterranean termite, which was a major driver in compiling this book.
An overview of Coptotermes
Although the book is focused on the Formosan termite, the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi, gets some specific attention too. However, a number of the chapters provide information relevant to other Coptotermes species and indeed termites more generally, and the chapters on termite management, in particular, have relevance to all termite professionals.
The start is always a good place to begin, and the editors provide a concise overview of the book and a summary of each chapter in the introduction. The opening chapters of the book focus on the global distribution of the Formosan termite and the classification of Coptotermes species, but chapters 4 and 5, along with chapter 7, are really essential reading for any termite professional wanting to understand about termite behaviour.
Termite behaviour
Assoc. Prof. Thomas Chouvenc (University of Florida) contributes ‘A Primer to Termite Biology: Coptotermes Life Cycle, Development and Demographics’ (ch. 4). Although much of the data is based on Coptotermes formosanus studies, it is applicable to other Coptotermes species and provides an easy-to-read review of Coptotermes biology and development, both at an individual and colony level. If readers want to gain knowledge of termite castes and moulting, and also an understanding of the life cycle of the colony from founding through growth, to maturity and death, this is the chapter to read.
When assessing a building under termite attack, understanding termite foraging behaviour is key to working out what may have happened on site. In ‘Ecology and Foraging Behaviour’ (ch.5) Prof. Su covers all aspects of foraging behaviour, as well as providing readers with an understanding of inter-colony competition and foraging territories. Although this is obviously Coptotermes focused, it also provides a general understanding of the factors at play in termite foraging. One small, more specific piece of information that was provided, was an estimate of wood consumption rate for Coptotermes formosanus. For a colony of one million workers, it is estimated it could consume 150 g per day or nearly 55 kg of wood per year (assuming 365 days of feeding).
When talking about termite behaviour it is impossible to ignore the role of pheromones. Chemical communication in social insects is one of the reasons for their success, so understanding how the various pheromones influence termite behaviour is essential for gaining insight into termite behaviour. Ass. Prof. Qian Sun (University of Louisiana) provides an overview in ‘Chemical Ecology’ (ch. 7).
Termite gut symbionts and digestion
A key factor in the success of termites is their ability to digest wood; the enabler of this capability is their gut microbe symbionts. A couple of chapters in the book focus on these gut microbes and the digestion of cellulose. ‘Symbiosis and Microbiome in Termite Guts’ (ch. 8) by Prof. Claudia Husseneder provides a great summary of the various symbionts in the termite gut and their role in digestion. The chapter also touches on how increased understanding in this area is leading to potential new control techniques and also developments in biotechnology. For those wanting to get a more indepth understanding of how termites digest wood and the importance of their gut symbionts, chapter 6 provides a highly informative review, although it does include a number of enzyme names and genetic terminology, which is unavoidable, but can make the reading a bit slower.
Termite management
The other cluster of chapters that are essential reading for termite professionals are those focusing on the various aspects of termite management. In ‘Management Using Baits’ (ch. 11), Prof. Su provides a detailed overview of the development of termite baits, how they work and future developments. Meanwhile Prof. Chow-Yang Lee and Assoc. Prof. Kok-Boon Neoh write on the ‘Management of Subterranean Termites Using Liquid Termiticides’ (ch. 12). Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s a fairly meaty chapter! Not only does it provide a detailed history of liquid termiticide development and use, but it also delves into their mode of action, exploring the action of repellent and non-repellent actives, the factors affecting termiticide performance and more. Importantly, both chapters are fact-based reviews, using published, peer-reviewed research papers, so pest managers can access detailed termite management information without any marketing spin.
Two additional chapters provide thoughts on alternative methods for termite management. In ‘Alternative and Experimental Management Techniques’ (ch. 14), Prof. Kenneth Grace covers off all the other options for termite protection. Not only does the chapter include a number of the established physical barrier products, applied during the construction of buildings, but also reviews natural products and biological control options, which are yet to become mainstream. ‘IPM and Area-wide Population Management’ (ch.15) is more of a thought-provoking chapter. Whilst termite management is almost exclusively implemented on an individual building basis, in looking at IPM and areawide population management, Prof. Su considers the opportunity of area-wide termite management, with a close look at some case studies from around the world.
A look at the Asian subterranean termite
Although the book primarily uses Coptotermes formosanus as the model species, the chapter dedicated to the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (ch. 16), is of particular interest to termite professionals in the more tropical areas of Asia. The chapter provides a good overview of its biology and behaviour, highlighting some key differences to the Formosan termite, as well as a review of prevention and control methods. It leads nicely into the following chapter, ‘Hybridization Between Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes gestroi’ (ch. 17). Assoc. Prof. Chouvenc and Prof. Hou-Feng Li cover the fairly recent body of work investigating the existence of Coptotermes hybrids in select locations around the world where the two species co-exist and the potential threat these hybrids pose to structures. A summary of this work is discussed in the article Have Humans Accidentally Created the Coptotermes Hybrid Termite?
Insights into research practices
The book draws to a close with the chapter ‘Using Coptotermes for Laboratory Experiments’ (ch. 18). Assoc. Prof. Chouvenc exposes how researchers go about collecting termites, maintaining colonies in the laboratory and carrying out laboratory trials – useful information for other termite researchers and interesting background for all termite professionals.
As a nod to the often-quoted phrase, “Science doesn’t know everything”, the final chapter of the book lists some of the top unanswered questions regarding termite biology and behaviour – the burning questions that are bugging the top researchers. Reading their thoughts on the direction of future research provides further food for thought.
Who Should Buy the Book?
Very few books on termites exist and certainly no other titles contain such an up to date and comprehensive review of the latest understandings in termite research. So, it should be compulsory reading for all termite professionals – anyone involved in termite research and management. Although it is a scientific publication, it is generally an easy read, even for non-scientists.
The book is available through CABI (QR code) and Amazon. Check pricing for the best option for your country.
