Alate dispersal distances of the black-winged subterranean termite Odontotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Termitidae) in Southern China

Odontotermes formosanus is the most serious termite pest species of dams and dikes in Southern China. The dispersal distances of the alates are important to better understand its impact and to determine the effectiveness of control tactics. A mark-recapture study using fluorescent spray paints was conducted to characterize dispersal distances of an O. formosanus colony which was located in the Longdong reservoir dam, Guangzhou, China. O. formosanus alates were capable of flying 120 to at least 743 m in the direction of the low prevailing wind. These results could help to formulate a management strategy against O.formosanus. The advantages of the fluorescent spray paint / fluorescence microscopy technique is also discussed.