Phylogenetic diversity of [FeFe]-hydrogenase (HydA) in termite guts was assessed by pyrosequencing PCR amplicons obtained using newly designed primers. Of 8,066 reads, 776 hydA phylotypes, defined with 97% nucleotide sequence identity, were recovered from the gut homogenates of three termite species, Hodotermopsis sjoestedti, Reticulitermes speratus, and Nasutitermes takasagoensis. The phylotyp...

The aromatic beta-carboline norharmane was determined in workers, nymphs, and ergatoids of Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Norharmane levels in workers, nymphs, and ergatoids collected in May (approximately 4.3 ng/termite) were higher than those in November (approximately 0.2 ng/termite). Fluorescence of norharmane was observe...

63 Three soils (a silt loam, loamy sand, sandy loam) found in Mississippi and pure silica sand were treated with fipronil and bioassayed using eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes jlavipes. Soils were treated with aqueous solutions ofTermidor (fipronil) at concentrations of 0, 0.12, 0.25,2.5, 5.0 and 20.0 ppm (wt AI: wt soil) that brought the soils to 15% moisture. Estimated lethal con...

The effects of three slow acting non-repellent insecticides on the behavior of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Koller) was investigated in a continuous exposure study. Abnormal behaviors of fipronil and indoxicarb treated termites were similar; incipient intoxication (disorientation), followed by ataxia (uncoordinated movements), and morbundity (lack of ability to wal...

9 In termite hindguts, fermentative production of acetate – a major carbon and energy 10 source for the insect – depends on efficient removal of inwardly diffusing oxygen by microbes 11 residing on and near the hindgut wall. However, little is known about the identity of these 12 organisms or the substrate(s) used to support their respiratory activity. A cultivation-based 13 approach was used t...