Ecology of termites from the genus Emphasis Type=

Authors: Isabelle Boulogne Reginaldo Constantino Nadine Amusant Michaël Falkowski Alice M S Rodrigues Emeline Houël

Publish Date: 2016/07/18

Volume: 90, Issue: 1, Pages: 19-37

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Abstract

The genus Nasutitermes is among the most abundant woodfeeding Termitidae and an extremely diverse and heterogeneous group in terms of its biogeography and morphology Despite the major role of several Nasutitermes species as structural pests the phylogenetic status of this genus is still unclear along with a confused taxonomy and species identification remaining difficult The first aim of this review was thus to gather and discuss studies concerning the taxonomic status of the genus Nasutitermes in order to clarify this crucial point Then our goal was to gain new insights into the management of N corniger considered to be the most economically detrimental pest of this genus in South America and a Nasutitermes model species while filtering available information concerning its biology through the prism of termite control as well as critically examine the existing methods We indeed strongly believe that increasing our knowledge of this species’ biological strategies is the key to progress in the challenging question of their sustainable managementThe authors gratefully thank Dr Philippe Petit French West Indies University UA for providing Lonchocarpus sp vegetal material and Arnaud JahnOyac for his technical help The authors also wish to thank Dr Thomas Chouvenc from the University of Florida for identifying N corniger from our field collections This work is part of the INSECTICIDES project funded by Europe ERDF OP French Guiana Regional Council and the Air Liquide Foundation This work benefited from an “Investissement d’Avenir” grant managed by Agence Nationale de la Recherche CEBA ref ANR10LABX2501

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