The Formosan subterranean termite (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shriaki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), is an invasive termite that was introduced into the continental United States in the 1950s (Evans et al. 2013). Since its introduction, it has spread to the southeastern US (including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee) and Texas (Evans et al. 2013). This termite is particularly damaging since it can also feed on the heartwood of living trees, rather than solely dead wood (Lai et al. 1983). Annually, Americans spends over $1 billion in preventing and treating this termite (Lax & Osbrink 2003). Furthermore, damage from this species cost Americans an additional $1 billion each year (Raina 2004).

Termite identification is difficult and various methods have previously been used to identify this pest species (Scheffrahn & Su 1994; Szalanski et al. 2003, 2004; Smith et al. 2010). Traditionally, taxonomic keys based on morphological traits are used to identify termite species (Scheffrahn & Su 1994), but these keys are developed for soldiers or alates, which are not always collected. Thus, small samples or samples lacking these castes are problematic. DNA sequence data have been used to identify FST (Smith et al. 2010). This process is time consuming and expensive requiring that every sample be sequenced. A molecular diagnostic technique to identify FST was developed by Szalanski et al. (2004), but still this method requires 2 polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), because the oligonucleotide primers annealing temperatures are incompatible. This duplication made the process more time consuming and increased the chance for mistakes.

The objective of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR protocol that could be used to identify FST regardless of life stage. The technique, requiring only a single PCR reaction, is simpler than previous molecular methods, and will facilitate monitoring of this invasive termite.

Termites were collected from locations in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East (Table 1). Identification was conducted using the keys of Scheffrahn & Su (1994). Voucher specimens are housed in the Arthropod Museum, Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA.

Samples preserved in ethanol were dried on filter paper. DNA was extracted using DNeasy® (Qiagen Sciences, Germantown, Maryland), resuspended in 10mM Tris-HCL (pH 8.0), and stored at -20 °C. Universal termite oligonucleotide primers were designed using composite termite sequences in Geneious (v6.1.7, Invitrogen Corp., Grand Island, New York): 16S 104F (5′-CCTCYCATCRCCCCAACRAA-3′) and 16S 368R (5′-TTGAAGGGCCGCGGTATYTT-3′). A 16S FST specific primer was also used: FST-F (5′-TAAAACAAACAAACAACAAACAAAC-3′) (Szalanski et al. 2004). Polymerase chain reaction was performed at 94 °C for 2 min; followed by 40 cycles at 94 °C for 45 s, 50 °C for 45 s, and 72°C for 60 s. The final extension at 72 °C f was for 5 min.

Table 1.

Coptotermes, Reticulitermes, and Heterotermes samples subjected to DNA sequencing and PCR analysis for Formosan subterranean termite specific PCR diagnostic analysis.

The new method was validated by screening a broad geographical sampling of FST and Reticulitermes species from the US. Samples were visualized on a 2% agarose gel with ethidium bromide staining (Fig. 1). The FST samples yielded 2 amplicons of 262 and 221 bp in size. Other Nearctic termite species north of Mexico [Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), R. virginicus Banks, R. tibialis Banks, R. hageni Banks, Heterotermes aureus (Snyder), R. hesperus Banks, and R. malletei Howard and Clement] were used (Table 1) and generated only a single amplicon of 262 bp. Additional Coptotermes spp. [C. michaelseni Silvestri, C. lacteus (Froggatt), C. testaceus (L.), C. intermedius Silvestri, C. heimi (Wasmann)] produced only the single universal amplicon of 262 bp. The negative control did not produce a detectable amplicon, indicating no contamination. A total of 1,373 16S sequences from 9 Coptotermes, 6 Reticulitermes, and 4 Heterotermes species from GenBank and from our DNA sequence database (ALS unpublished) (Table 1) were analyzed using Geneious software to confirm that the FST oligonucleotide primers would be specific for the C. formosanus (FST) sequences and not the other taxa for PCR amplification.

Fig. 1.

Ethidium bromide-stained agarose gel (2%) illustrating a common amplicon of 262 bp from the mtDNA 16S gene for various termite species and unique amplicon of 221 bp specific for the Formosan subterranean termite.

The results show that the universal primers produced a 262 bp band in all species tested (Table 1) whereas the FST specific primer produces an additional band (221 bp) only in FST (Fig. 1), indicating that this primer combination and PCR reaction successfully distinguish FST from other termites in this study.

This new molecular method simplifies previous methods of identification (Szalanski et al. 2004; Evans et al. 2013), in that it can be completed in a single PCR reaction and allows identification of worker specimens that cannot be keyed morphologically to species. Proper identification that is simple and economical can be useful for monitoring the spread of this invasive to new areas.

We thank Rudolf Scheffrahn, James Austin, and Matt Messenger for providing samples. We also thank Amber Tripodi and Clinton Trammel for their technical support and assistance and three anonymous reviewers for their comments and recommendations. This research was supported in part by the University of Arkansas, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.