Browsing by Author "Scheffrahn, Rudolf H."
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- Attraction of Alates of Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) to Different Light Wavelengths in South Florida and the AzoresPublication . Ferreira, Maria T.; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Scheffrahn, Rudolf H.The termite Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) is an urban pest that causes much damage to wood structures. Little has been done concerning the use of control methods for alates. C. brevis is known to have phototropic behavior during the dispersal flights, and this knowledge has been applied for preventative control in the Azores where this species is a serious urban pest. We were interested in determining whether there was a light wavelength preference by the alates of C. brevis to optimize light traps against this species. Six light wavelengths were tested: 395 nm (UV), 460-555 nm (white), 470 nm (blue), 525 nm (green), 590 nm (yellow), and 625 nm (red) in choice chambers, with dark chambers as controls. Two populations were tested, one population in Florida and one population in the Azores (Terceira Island). We found consistent results for both populations, with a preference for the light wavelengths in the white, blue, and green spectrum (460-550 nm). This information can be used to build more effective light traps that can be used by home owners in the Azores to help control this pest.
- Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in the Azores : Lessons After 2 yr of Monitoring in the ArchipelagoPublication . Borges, Paulo A. V.; Guerreiro, Orlando; Ferreira, Maria T.; Borges, Annabella; Ferreira, Filomena; Bicudo, Nuno; Nunes, Lina; Marcos, Rita S.; Arroz, Ana Margarida Moura; Scheffrahn, Rudolf H.; Myles, Timothy G.The dispersal flights of West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) were surveyed in the major cities of Azores. The sampling device used to estimate termite density consisted of a yellow adhesive trap (size 45 by 24 cm), placed with an artificial or natural light source in a dark attic environment. In addition, data from two other projects were used to improve the knowledge about the geographical distribution of the species. The level of infestation in the two main Azorean towns differed, with high levels in the houses of Angra do Heroísmo, whereas in Ponta Delgada, there are fewer houses with high levels of infestation. The infestation in Ponta Delgada shows a pattern of spreading from the center outward to the city's periphery, whereas in Angra do Heroísmo, there was a pattern of spreading outward from several foci. The heavy infestation observed in Angra do Heroísmo and the clear increase of infestation levels observed from 2010 to 2011 is a reason for concern and calls for an urgent application of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control strategy.
- First record of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal)Publication . Austin, James W.; Szalanski, Allen L.; Myles, Timothy G.; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Nunes, Lina; Scheffrahn, Rudolf H.Reticulitermes flavipes, a Holarctic pestiferous subterranean termite species, particularly to structures and non-indigenous trees, is reported for the first time from Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal. The establishment of R. flavipes on Terceira Island likely represents more than one anthropogenic introduction with a high probability of military involvement.
- Introdução da térmita da madeira seca Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) nos AçoresPublication . Ferreira, Maria T.; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Scheffrahn, Rudolf H.A térmita de madeira seca Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) é uma praga urbana que causa danos graves a estruturas de madeira, afectando todos os tipos de equipamentos desde os rodapés, portas, mobiliário e partes estruturais da habitação. Existente principalmente nas zonas tropicais e subtropicais do globo, esta espécie é originaria do Chile e do Peru e poderá ter-se dispersado pelo mundo, numa fase inicial, através do tráfego elevado de navios de madeira espanhóis provenientes dessa zona no século XVI. Esta térmita passa a maior parte do seu ciclo de vida dentro da madeira, factor que facilita o seu transporte e dispersão, uma vez que a sua detecção é difícil por não especialistas. A sua presença nos Açores é conhecida desde o ano de 2000, altura em que foi identificada a sua presença na Ilha Terceira. Desde então a sua presença já foi confirmada para seis das nove ilhas do arquipélago dos Açores, nomeadamente Terceira, São Miguel, Santa Maria, Faial, São Jorge e Pico. […].
- IsopteraPublication . Borges, Paulo A. V.; Borges, Annabella; Ferreira, Maria T.; Guerreiro, Orlando; Myles, Timothy G.; Scheffrahn, Rudolf H.
- Termites (Isoptera) in the Azores: an overview of the four invasive species currently present in the archipelagoPublication . Ferreira, Maria T.; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Nunes, Lina; Myles, Timothy G.; Guerreiro, Orlando; Scheffrahn, Rudolf H.In this contribution we summarize the current status of the known termites of the Azores (North Atlantic; 37-40° N, 25-31° W). Since 2000, four species of termites have been identified in the Azorean archipelago. These are spreading throughout the islands and becoming common structural and agricultural pests. Two termites of the Kalotermitidae family, Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) and Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius) are found on six and three of the islands, respectively. The other two species, the subterranean termites Reticulitermes grassei Clemént and R. flavipes (Kollar) of the Rhinotermitidae family are found only in confined areas of the cities of Horta (Faial) and Praia da Vitória (Terceira) respectively. Due to its location and weather conditions the Azorean archipelago is vulnerable to colonization by invasive species. The fact that there are four different species of termites in the Azores, all of them considered pests, is a matter of concern. Here we present a comparative description of these species, their known distribution in the archipelago, which control measures are being used against them, and what can be done in the future to eradicate and control these pests in the Azores.