Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), on Cultivars of Pecan, Carya illinoinensis, in Texas Laboratory Evaluation of Feeding Preferences of Formosan Subterranean Termites

The feeding preferences of Coptotermesformosanus Shiraki were evaluated on the wood of 56 field-collected pecan Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) cultivars. It was evident from this study that Formosan termites had specific feeding preferences among the pecan cultivars evaluated. The 'Moneymaker' cultivar of C. illinoinensis was most preferred by C. formosanus, and the degree of feeding on this cultivar was significantly different (P < 0.05) from all other cultivars tested. 'Creek' was the least preferred cultivar, but the degree of feeding was not significantly different from other cultivars, with the exception of 'Moneymaker'. There was a trend for lower consumption of wood from commercially important versus native cultivars. This suggests that Formosan termites may be differentially attracted to a variety of pecan cultivars and/or chemicals associated with that wood. These results further demonstrate that pecan cultivars are at risk to C.formosanus feeding, and that future pecan cultivar selections should take into account this vulnerability.

Laboratory Evaluation of Feeding Preferences of Formosan Subterranean Termites, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), on Cultivars of Pecan, Carya illinoinensis, in Texas Academic Article