Florida Entomologist (2002) 85, 499-506

Changlu Wang, Janine E. Powell and Barry M. O'Connor (2002)
Mites and nematodes associated with three subterranean termite species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Florida Entomologist 85 (3), 499-506
Abstract: Mites and nematodes associated with three subterranean termite species, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), and Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki were studied. Mites belonging to 8 families were found associated with the three termite species. Australhypopus sp. (Acari: Acaridae) was the most common mite on R. flavipes and R. virginicus. Histiostoma formosana Phillipsen and Coppel (Acari: Acaridae) was the dominant mite species living on C. formosanus. Nematode, Rhabditis sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) was found in the three termite species examined. Nematodes did not cause termite mortality or abnormal behavior. Percentages of R. flavipes, R. virginicus, and C. formosanus parasitized by nematodes were 67.9, 38.8, and 3.3%, respectively. The nematodes were found mainly in the termite heads (85.8% in R. flavipes and R. virginicus). The abundance of mites varied with colonies and termite species. Australhypopus sp. occurred in large numbers when injured or dead termites are present, or when moisture of the rearing medium is low in R. flavipes and R. virginicus colonies. Histiostoma formosana and Cosmoglyphus absoloni Samsinák occurred in large numbers in C. formosanus colonies. Australhypopus sp. was tested against R. flavipes in the laboratory. It did not cause significant termite mortality at a rate of 10 mites/termite. From a biological point of view, mites investigated were not good candidates for controlling termites.
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Database assignments for author(s): Changlu Wang

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
environment - cropping system/rotation
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Coptotermes formosanus
	Reticulitermes flavipes
	Reticulitermes virginicus