One of the most harmful species of subterranean termites is identified in Argentina

In Argentina, the genus Reticulitermes is not described, although there is a great variety of termites distributed in 4 families, 34 genera and 63 species. The Rhinotermitidae family to which this genus belongs was only represented by Heterotermes and the species H. longiceps and H. tenuis. The joint work between Lucas Heinzmann from Argentina and the professionals Agricultural Engineer Jorge Morales from Chile and Doctor Tiajo Carrijo from Brazil were able to identify the genus Reticulitermes. This discovery was made in the month of September 2021 in the autonomous city of Buenos Aires (coordinates 34°37'02. 4”S 58°25'00. 7”W), and corresponds to a type of subterranean termite that is very destructive in the real estate sector. The studies, which are being developed, have so far made it possible to identify only the genus Reticulitermes, with the species for which samples were sent to Brazil for correct identification through genetic and molecular tests still being unknown. Although it is true that this termite was found in the autonomous city of Buenos Aires, it is estimated that it may be in other cities in Argentina such as the town of San Juan, although it is not yet confirmed, but its presence is suspected because photographic material and videos have been sent to us where very similar individuals can be seen with their typical galleries or mud tunnels. The identification of the genus Reticulitermes was carried out through photographs and videos provided by Lucas Heinzmann in order to compare them morphologically based on some distinctive aspects of this type of termites. The suspicion arose due to the peculiar type of damage to the floor of a house, from which Lucas Heinzmann was able to collect castes of workers, soldiers and winged reproductives. The curious thing was to find winged reproductives since these adult states appear after 4 to 5 years from their establishment, when the colony exceeds a large population of workers and the damage to the wood is already very evident. After this discovery, Dr. Tiajo F. was contacted. Carrijo, Graduate in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Goiás and master's degree and doctorate in Entomology from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, who immediately provided the morphological keys to be able to precisely identify the genus of this termite. The friendship between Agricultural Engineer Jorge Morales and Dr. Tiajo Carrijo that arose when both were at the University of Florida in the USA, facilitated the identification process in September 2019. Later in March 2022, Engineer Jorge Morales traveled to Buenos Aires to meet with Lucas to verify the place of discovery and to be able to take the samples of this termite collected by Lucas. In South America, the genus Reticulitermes and the species flavipes were subject to the countries of Chile and Uruguay until that time. IDENTIFICATION PROCESS The first photographs were confusing, at first it was thought that it was the genus Heterotermes, but as images and videos with higher resolution were sent, it was possible to specify that the genus was Reticulitermes. The morphological keys allowed the identification to be correctly carried out at the family level and then at the gender level. USE OF MORPHOLOGICAL KEYS FOR TERMITE IDENTIFICATION FOR RETICULITERMES FLAVIPES (Jan Krecek) University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Mandible of winged reproductive of Reticulitermes (photograph by Lucas Heinzmann) the 3 teeth of equal size can be seen. thorax, abdomen and femur; very small ocelli (~0.07mm long) and compound eyes widely separated from the ocelli. Pronotum evidently narrower than the head and heart-shaped; the only truly subterranean species, which builds underground or surface tunnels and forages in search of food in various places. Dentition of jaws see in the worker key; introduced species (Reticulitermes flavipes). Subterranean termite damage observed winged reproductives (photograph by lucas Heinzmann), Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2021 Winged reproductive Reticulitermes (photograph by lucas Heinzmann), Buenos Aires, Argentina September 2021 C. PSEUDOOBRERAS (“WORKERS”) MAINLY BASED ON THE DENTITION OF THE JAWS, VALID ALSO FOR THE IMAGES. 1. The shape of the third tooth (including the apical one) of the left jaw is clearly elongated conical (acute triangular) with equal sides. The first three complete teeth occupy approximately 1/3 of the inner length of the jaw; the first three teeth in the left jaw are almost equal in size, almost parallel and equally distant from each other; Between the bases of the first and second teeth of the right jaw is a small tooth called a subsidiary tooth. Pronotum narrower than the head and trapezoidal in shape (Reticulitermes flavipes) DESCRIPTION: The workers (without wings) have a soft body and are grayish-white in color, measure 4 to 6 mm in length, have antennae with 14-17 segments, lack compound eyes, and have a trapezoidal-shaped pronotum. They have powerful jaws adapted for chewing and in their intesSoldier Reticulitermes (photograph by Lucas Heinzmann), Buenos Aires, Argentina September 2021 tino have symbiotic flagellated protists that help them digest wood. Their development is reached after 12 months, and they can live for several years. They represent between 95 to 97% of the colony. The Soldiers (non-winged) have a rectangular head that is longer than it is wide, light brown in color, their jaws are as long as the width of their head, they are robust and dark in color almost black, with a length of 7 mm on average in the case of Reticulitermes flavipes. They have a thorax and abdomen similar to that of workers. They are blind and have strong jaws for defense. They are completely dependent on the workers for food. They represent between 1 to 3% of the colony. The primary Reproducers (winged) are soft-bodied, black in color, measure 10 to 12mm in length, have moniliform antennae, with two pairs of long translucent wings of equal size that exceed the body, fly in early spring, live for 7-10 years, reaching up to 18 years in a natural environment, and can reach up to 25 years in artificial colonies. The secondary reproductives (supplementary or neotenic) have a long abdomen up to 12mm, they have compound and lateral eyes accompanied by a simple eye or ocellus, they are brachypterous (with wing stumps, but they do not fly) IMPORTANCE OF UNDERGROUND TERMITES In the world there are more than 3,106 described termites of which 3 to 7% are considered pests, of which only 183 They cause significant damage to structures and constructions, but only 83 are considered structural pests with significant damage (Abe et al, 2000). Termites of the genus Reticulitermes belong to the family Rhinotermitidae, Subfamily Heterotermitinae, within which some 147 species are known worldwide, which cause economic damage of great importance (Su and Scheffrahn, 2000). Reticulitermes virginicus and R. flavipes are responsible for 80% of the US$2.2 billion dollars spent annually in the United States on the control of termites (Nan-Yao Su; Rudolf H. Scheffrahn and Brian Cabrera, 2009, University of Florida) Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes grassei are considered the most harmful species of termites in the world, among the 15 most harmful to humans. Termites have an important ecological role in nature, producing benefits, but important damages in their interaction with man. They are social (eusocial) insects that build underground nests (termite mounds). They feed on the cellulose contained in wood and all its derivatives. Most termites are from tropical or subtropical climates, but they can also be found in temperate climates. Some species of subterranean termites have been introduced to other regions as urban pests; they are recognized as the main invasive species worldwide, including the Reticulitermes genera. and Coptotermes, both represent 80% of the damage attributed to termites in the world. It is estimated that the control and damage caused by termites around the planet cost billions of dollars each year. Currently, the figures exceed 40 billion dollars. The evolutionary origin of termites is linked to cockroaches, their closest relative being the genus Cryptocercus that feed on wood. They were classified in the order Isoptera, however, currently and according to their phylogeny they belong to the infraorder of the order Blattodea and in the suborder Blattoidea and the family Blattidae, during the Mesozoic period. Both groups shared ancestors Current map of Reticulitermes flavipes https: //mapadetermitas. org/map/ that inhabited the Earth during the Carboniferous and Permian and are currently classified in the same order as cockroaches. DISTRIBUTION The genus Reticulitermes is the major termite pest in all areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, India, Southern Russia, Korea, Japan, China, and the United States. The eastern subterranean termite known as Reticulitermes flavipes is the most widely distributed in the world. In South America, there is only Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar, 1837) of the Rhinotermitidae family in the countries of Chile and Uruguay. Reticulitermes santonensis in France is now understood as a synonym of R. flavipes, native to the southeastern United States and is exotic or invasive in southern Canada, Europe (Spain, France, Germany), and the Bahamas. In 2008, an outbreak was discovered in Italy. LIFE CYCLE They have simple or gradual (incomplete) metamorphosis whose cycle includes eggs, nymphs, larvae (according to modern studies) and adults or imagoes. Subterranean termites share resources and divide labor into castes. organized as workers, soldiers and reproducers (primary and secondary or neotenic reproducers). They live in societies called colonies. The size of a colony varies according to the age since its establishment, the availability of food and water, the vigor achieved in its development. In Chile there are studies that describe colonies of 1 million individuals (Ripa). The formation of a new colony is by mating between males and females during the nuptial flight season, although in Chile another more successful form of reproduction is described, which is by budding, that is, part of the colony separates to form a new colony independent of the original. BEHAVIOR Because termites are social insects, they share many of their tasks. This can be seen throughout the caste system, where different castes take different responsibilities for the betterment of the entire colony. R. flavipes cooperates in raising young and also shares its resources with the nest. Swarming is the sudden and dramatic appearance of winged reproductives in early spring. Then they lose their wings, mate and form new colonies. They feed by trophallaxis (mouth-to-mouth and mouth-to-anus), with the workers being the ones who distribute the food to the rest of the colony. The study of this feeding system allowed researchers to develop pesticides such as chitin synthesis inhibitors that revolutionized the total control of subterranean termite colonies. Gas detector 2. - infrared detector with thermal resolution Termatrac It is very characteristic of the formation of tunnels or galleries of mud that the workers make by mixing soil with their saliva, in this way they access to search for food on surfaces or buildings, these paths are used to protect themselves from dehydration, temperature and the environment, including natural enemies such as ants. Their activity is determined by food, moisture and temperature, and movement is usually driven by one of these needs. HUMAN IMPACT Termites feed on the cellulose in wood, meaning their presence in man-made structures often goes unnoticed for long periods of time. A termite-infested wood will appear structurally sound on the outside, while it will have extensive damage on the inside. To detect the presence of R. flavipes, tap the wood with a screwdriver. It is usually located near or below ground level. Trim, subfloor, floor, and structural beams are the areas of a building most susceptible to termite damage. The eastern subterranean termite is considered a serious economic building pest and it is estimated that in high activity areas, more than 1 in 5 homes have been or will be attacked. Detection equipment In the management and detection of termites in buildings, it is important to have acoustic devices since they are not detected or made visible so easily, especially when the damage is incipient. It is normal to see it when the damage is significant, generally after several years. Early detection is very favorable in relation to cost versus benefit. There are several pieces of equipment for detecting termites using non-destructive systems: 1. - Termatrac It is a great 'commercial' tool to detect the activity (movement) of termites inside different materials to be inspected non-destructively by reading radar, temperature and humidity. 3. - Termite Detector Endoscope Camera Tmile termite detector uses cutting-edge microwave technology and can instantly and accurately detect termites at depths of up to 12 inches. The termite detector is 99% accurate and can be used on non-metallic surfaces, including wood and plastic. 4. - Acoustic emissions detector Worker termites emit sounds when they feed on wood and also when soldiers hit the structure with their heads in the face of some danger or threat. The detector should be located no more than 80 cm from the place where the termites feed and less than 8 cm thick. The success of this detection is 80%. Excessive background noise can result in false positives. 5. - Gas detector: Termites generate methane gas (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) during the metabolism of wood Microwave using symbiont microorganisms. The equipment detects CH4 (Termitec II and Sensit R) or CO 2 through a gas sensor. Small holes must be made through which a cube is inserted that powers the sensor 6. Humidity Detector: Detects sectors with higher humidity that are more likely to be infested with termites. 7. - Infrared images: Scans the infrared irradiation of the surface of objects on walls, detects areas that have higher temperatures. These areas may contain termites. 8. - Fiber optic viewer: It consists of a thin and flexible cube with fiber optics or baroscope that allows it to be inserted into small cavities or holes, allowing you to visually observe the interior; detecting damage and termite activity in very small spaces. Infrared detector with thermal resolution Endoscope Camera Termite Detector Fiber optic viewer 9. - Trained dogs: Dogs that undergo training in order to detect the smell of methane (CH4). These have a high olfactory sensitivity, facilitating the detection of termites especially in places that are difficult to access. The most used breeds are Beagles and German Shepherds, they find termites through smell and hearing. The success in the search, which is variable, fluctuates between 20 – 100% for subterranean termites. False positives are between 1 to 28% for underground (Lewis and Salek 2003). 10. Microwave: Developed in Australia, it works similar to a radar, sending a microwave signal, which detects the movement of termites inside structures. The maximum distance at which it detects is 35 mm along the grain and 25 mm deep in the wood. 11. X-ray equipment: It consists of a portable X-ray machine, the size of a medium suitcase. Exposure of operators to Management should include changing some construction practices and standards, such as the use of certain woods without chemical treatments, use of other non-cellulosic materials such as metals. , etc. Information and education for the user and companies dedicated to woodworking is under study: the use of laser, infrared and Atomic Emission (Lewis and Solek 2003). In general, all equipment is high cost and training in its use is required. CONTROL Termite control methods include: physical barriers (plastics impregnated with termiticide, steel mesh, etc.), treatments with termiticides before (pre-construction) and after construction (post-construction, requires drilling radiators in critical areas to apply the chemical). A very effective and environmentally friendly method is the use of specific baits (installed inside or outside the buildings) to which a chemical is added that inhibits the growth of the termite, specifically inhibiting the synthesis of chitin from the insect's exoskeleton, affecting the molt and causing the disappearance or suppression of the colony. The control of subterranean termites is not simple and requires training and specialization. Many urban pest control companies use traditional methods that are not useful for controlling subterranean termites, such as application of phosphine gas, surface treatments such as spraying, misting and thermofogging, methods that are used to control other types of pests, but not for termites. The fundamental thing is to understand that not all control methods are effective, many are only palliative since they fail to stop the destructive advance of this construction. It is essential, many countries have had to change their legislation or regulations because the costs of repair and treatment are very expensive, not all do it and when they encounter the problem they prefer to quickly get rid of the construction, which makes the purchase of new or old homes flawed and illegal since constructions in poor condition are delivered, transferring the problems to the new user.