First detection and eradication of a structural infestation by western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor (Hagen) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae), in Australia

Abstract

The western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor, is one of the most economically damaging termites in the United States of America. Although native to the southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico, it has spread widely across the USA and to other countries including China and Japan. The first structural infestation by I. minor in Australia was detected in the timber roofing of a house in Sydney, NSW, in July 2019. Imported exotic timbers, including Douglas fir from the USA, installed approximately 20 years prior to the detection, were the likely source of the infestation. Measures undertaken to eradicate I. minor were (1) ‘tent’ fumigation of the house with sulphuryl fluoride; (2) trap deployment for termite alates; and (3) delimiting surveillance in nearby homes. No I. minor termites were detected outside the infested premises. The haplotype observed by way of DNA sequencing was similar to those of I. minor specimens collected from Louisiana, USA, and Japan. Given the potential economic impacts of I. minor, should it establish in Australia, along with other drywood termites, especially West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis, government biosecurity organisations should devote more resources to the design and implementation of drywood termite management systems for new and existing buildings.