Insects (2017) 8 (1 - 14)

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Nan-Yao Su, homas Chouvenc and Hou-Feng Li (2017)
Potential hybridization between two invasive termite species, Coptotermes formosanus and C. gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), and its biological and economic implications
Insects 8 (1 - 14)
Abstract: The Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi, is a tropical species but has increasingly been collected from the subtropics in recent years, making it sympatric to the Formosan subterranean termite, C. formosanus in at least three areas, Taiwan, Hawaii, and Florida. Simultaneous flights by these two species were observed since 2013 in South Florida, during which interspecies tandems were observed. Laboratory mating of C. formosanus and C. gestroi alates produced hybrid incipient colonies of larger population size. Studies are underway to examine the presence in the field of hybrid colonies in sympatric areas of Taiwan and Florida. Other biological characteristics of C. formosanus × C. gestroi hybrids being studied include temperature tolerance and preference, colony growth rate, wood-consumption rate, and reproductive fertility. This current research aims to determine the potential establishment of a hybrid termite population in south Florida and Taiwan. It investigates the risk of introgressive hybridization in field populations, with an emphasis on its potential ecological, evolutionary, and economic consequences.
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Database assignments for author(s): Nan-Yao Su, Hou-Feng Li

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Coptotermes formosanus		Taiwan
	Coptotermes formosanus		U.S.A. (Hawaii)
	Coptotermes formosanus		U.S.A. (SE)
	Coptotermes gestroi		Taiwan
	Coptotermes gestroi		U.S.A. (Hawaii)
	Coptotermes gestroi		U.S.A. (SE)