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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #239623
Title: Utilizing rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein for mark-capture studies on the desert subterranean termite, Heterotermes aureus (Snyder)

Author
item BAKER, P
item Hagler, James
item MARCHOSKY, R
item Machtley, Scott
item BROWN, J
item RIEHLE, M
item BELLAMY, D

Submitted to: Insectes Sociaux
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2009
Publication Date: 4/1/2010
Citation: Baker, P.B., Hagler, J.R., Marchosky, R., Machtley, S.A., Brown, J.M., Riehle, M.A., Bellamy, D.E. 2010. Utilizing rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein for mark-capture studies on the desert subterranean termite, Heterotermes aureus (Snyder). Insectes Sociaux. 57:147-155.

Interpretive Summary: In the United States alone, subterranean termites cost consumers over $1.5 billion. Knowledge of termite dispersal patterns is essential toward controlling these structural pests. Studies were conducted to investigate the feasibility of marking the southwestern desert subterranean termite with a rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein. In turn, short-range dispersal (e.g., 10-m) patterns of termites were measured across a desert landscape. Termites self-marked at a central foraging site (CFS) by feeding on marked cardboard. The CFS and 50 peripheral feeding (unmarked) stations were sampled for marked termites twice at 3 different field sites 17 to 65 days after the marked bait was placed at the CFS to determine the spatial dispersal pattern of termites. Termites that self marked by feeding on rabbit IgG marked bait were detected by an anti-rabbit IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Over the course of the study, 39 of the unmarked peripheral feeding stations contained at least one marked termite. Of the termites assayed from the peripheral stations (n = 2,955), 124 or 4.2% of the individuals contained the mark. The average distance traveled by the marked termites collected at the peripheral feeding stations was 5.7±3.3-m from the CFSs. We also examined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from termites collected at each field site to determine if they were related. Data indicated that each field site consisted of genetically distinct and therefore non-related termites. We discuss the advantages and limitations of marking termites with rabbit IgG for dispersal studies.

Technical Abstract: A series of mark-capture dispersal studies were conducted to investigate the feasibility of marking the southwestern desert subterranean termite, Heterotermes aureus (Snyder) with rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein. In turn, short-range dispersal patterns of H. aureus were measured across a 20-m circular desert landscape at three distinct field locations. Each location consisted of 51 termite feeding stations containing corrugated cardboard. The central feeding station (CFS) at each location was impregnated with rabbit IgG. A circular grid was then constructed around each CFS that consisted of 50 additional unmarked cardboard feeding stations. The 50 stations were strategically placed around the CFS at distances of 1.5, 2.0, 4.0, 7.0 or 10.0-m. Termites self-marked with rabbit IgG by feeding on the marked bait. The CFS and the 50 peripheral feeding stations were sampled for marked termites twice at each location 17 to 65 days after the marked bait was placed at the CFS to determine the spatial dispersal patterns of H. aureus within each research grid. Termites that self marked by feeding on rabbit IgG marked bait were detected by an anti-rabbit IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Generally, the CFSs contained the highest frequency of marked termites with 28.0% of the individuals assayed from the CFS containing rabbit IgG. Over the course of the study, 39 of the unmarked peripheral feeding stations contained at least one marked termite. Of the termites assayed from the peripheral stations (n = 2,955), 124 or 4.2% of the individuals contained the mark. The average distance traveled by the marked termites collected at the peripheral feeding stations was 5.7 ± 3.3-m from the CFSs. We also examined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from termites collected at each field site to determine if they were related. Data indicated that each field site consisted of genetically distinct and therefore non-related termites. We discuss the advantages and limitations of marking termites with rabbit IgG for dispersal studies.