Latest news with #ThomasChouvenc
Gizmodo
29-05-2025
- General
- Gizmodo
Two of the World's Worst Termites Hooked Up in Florida—and Now We're Screwed
A termite horror story a decade in the making is unfolding in South Florida. Two of the most destructive invasive termites on the planet are not only coexisting—they're mating. And now, scientists have confirmed that the populations are hybridized. In a new study published this month in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, researchers from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) report that the Formosan subterranean termite and the Asian subterranean termite are crossbreeding and producing viable offspring in South Florida neighborhoods. The result is a new hybrid termite population that could cause even more environmental and structural damage than its already-devastating parents. 'Unfortunately, termite colonies are very cryptic and trying to find hybrid colonies in the field is like looking for a needle in a haystack,' said Thomas Chouvenc, a researcher at the University of Florida and lead author of the study, in a university release. 'We monitored termite activity closely for more than a decade to check for the establishment of hybrid colonies in some of the neighborhoods affected by the two termite species.' Genetic testing confirmed that the strange-looking termites first spotted in 2021 were hybrids of the aforementioned species. 'At first, I could not believe it, as I was hoping to never find it,' Chouvenc said. In October 2024, the researchers discovered a full-blown hybrid colony in a Fort Lauderdale park, which had likely been active for more than five years before being detected. Chouvenc said that there are likely many more hundreds of colonies across South Florida that have not yet been found. Both parent species are prolific breeders, capable of forming massive colonies and spreading rapidly. The fact that these hybrids are swarming—and potentially just as fertile—raises major red flags. Fort Lauderdale's status as a global boating hub may accelerate the spread. 'This may be a Florida story now, but it likely won't stay just in Florida,' Chouvenc warned. Private boats have previously been implicated in termite spread across the U.S. and internationally. Termite hybridization is not just an American problem; the phenomenon has also been observed in Taiwan, suggesting that crossbreeding between the species may be unavoidable in areas where they coexist. In the meantime, Florida's latest invasive residents are combining forces to chomp their way across the state—and beyond.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Invasive hybrid termite species discovered in Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WFLA) — A new study conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has confirmed the presence of hybrid termite colonies in South Florida. Published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the study documents how two variations of the destructive and invasive species, the Formosan subterranean termites and Asian subterranean termites, are not only coexisting but are now crossbreeding. According to the findings, both termite species are prone to forming massive colonies and, once mature, the winged termites can be sent out to find a mate and establish a new nest as king and queen. Suspicions about their ability to breed began about 10 years ago when Thomas Chouvenc, associate professor of urban entomology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, said that they observed males and females from both species exhibiting interspecies courtship behaviors. 'This was unexpected, and it raised red flags about the possibility of hybrid populations forming in the field,' said Chouvenc. PHOTOS: Brush fire at Alafia River State Park In 2021, Chouvenc reported his team had begun collecting winged termites in the Fort Lauderdale area that didn't match the shape or form of either termite species, prompting them to ramp up monitoring. 'At first, I could not believe it, as I was hoping to never find it,' said Chouvenc. 'Since then, we have confirmed the presence of hybrid swarms every year since 2021, including in April 2025.' Genetic testing confirmed the new species to be samples of hybrid termites, sharing half of their genes with each of the two species. Fire Chief urges caution after woman pulled from water at Treasure Island Beach With this discovery, scientists warn that the repercussions of a new invasive termite species could extend far beyond Florida, which is a hotspot for the spread of invasive termites via private boats. 'This may be a Florida story now, but it likely won't stay just in Florida. Give it time,' Chauvenc warned. The hybridization process has likely been underway for a decade and is impossible to stop. However, scientists say that understanding the biology of this new termite species, and its weaknesses, could help improve pest management and foster better solutions as time goes on. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
