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ViewAttendees 3

Section Symposium

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

Disruptive Science: A Symposium in Honor of Nan-Yao Su and the Impact of Termite Baits

Competition and hybridization between Formosan and Asian subterranean termites in Taiwan

Tuesday, November 7, 2023
3:25 PM – 3:40 PM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Potomac 3-4
In-Person

    Presenting Author(s)

  • HL

    Hou-Feng Li

    National Chung Hsing University
    Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)

    • Co-author(s)

  • GC

    Guan-Yu Chen

    National Chung Hsing University
    Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)

  • SH

    Shih-Ying Huang

    National Chung Hsing University
    Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)

  • SY

    Shang-En Yang

    National Chung Hsing University
    Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)

  • ML

    Ming-Der Lin

    Tzu Chi University
    Hualien, Hualien, Taiwan (Republic of China)

  • Thomas P. Chouvenc

    Assistant Professor
    University of Florida
    Davie, Florida

  • YC

    Yung-Hao Ching

    Tzu Chi University
    Hualien, Hualien, Taiwan (Republic of China)

In Taiwan, two primary structural pests are the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and the Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). The former dominates in the northern region, while the latter is more prevalent in the southern region. However, there is an overlap in their distribution within central Taiwan. To investigate the potential production of hybrid reproductive castes, a three-year field survey was conducted during the dispersal flight season. Atypical alates displaying unusual morphology were identified, and subsequent molecular analysis involving microsatellite and mitochondrial tools confirmed their hybrid nature, resulting from the interbreeding of the two Coptotermes species. These hybrid alates exhibited a dispersal flight season that coincided with that of their parental species in 13 out of 15 instances, and four advanced hybrids, surpassing the F1 generation, were discovered. Laboratory reproductive experiments revealed that incipient colonies led by hybrid females produced non-viable eggs, while backcross colonies involving hybrid males occasionally exhibited successful brood development. This study demonstrates that the mating between different Coptotermes species can lead to the establishment of viable F1 colonies, accompanied by the production of hybrid alates. Nonetheless, the laboratory findings suggest that there is a significant post-zygotic barrier in the form of partial infertility among hybrid alates, which may limit gene flow between the two termite species but not entirely prevent it.