The Daily Review/Bill Decker
Chris Darbonne of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development mans the stop sign as workers lay asphalt Monday on the U.S. 90 service road at Berwick. The work Monday extended west from the A.J. Dohmann auto dealership.
April 9, 1993 — April 1, 2020
Ashley Dean Moore Jr., 26, of Morgan City, Louisiana, passed away on April 1, 2020, in Newark, NJ.
Virtual memorial will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2020, from the comfort in the spot in your heart where Ashley resided.
Ashley Dean Moore Jr. was born in Morgan City, Louisiana, to Ashley Dean Moore Sr. and Starlet Carbins on April 9, 1993. He graduated from Freehold High School. He worked as a Chef for One World Observatory for four years. He loved to write stories, plays, and create his own universe on paper and lived through his characters.
Ashley Dean Moore Jr. was preceded in death by his grandmother Rosalie Moore and grandfather John Moore; Aunts Josephine Martin and Corliss Moore; and his Uncle John Moore Jr.
Ashley Dean Moore Jr. is survived by his parents, Ashley Dean Moore Sr. and Starlet Carbins, and his younger brother, Elijah White; his grandparents, Louis Carbins Sr. and Arthur Loise Scott; Uncles Louis Carbins Jr., Shane Scott, Andre Scott and Ricky Moore; and his Aunt Letitia Sumerlin.
The family of Ashley Dean Moore Jr. wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Mrs. Holmes from the Raine Foundation and April Miller of Newark, NJ, for their kindness and support.
Memorial Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85078445839
Here is the latest list of bills, released Monday, of bills signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The list also includes one veto.
To learn more about the new laws, go to legis.la.gov.
ACT 231—SB 115 Provides relative to advertisements for legal services.
ACT 232—SB 145 Provides relative to fees charged by the clerk of court for the Twenty-sixth Judicial District Court.
ACT 233—SB 155 Provides for payment of supplemental compensation from nonpublic sources for certain personnel at the Jimmy D. Long, Sr. Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.
ACT 234—SB 205 Defines “final determination” for purposes of reporting federal income tax adjustments.
ACT 235—SB 212 Provides relative to the membership of the Louisiana Agricultural Commodities Comm-ission.
ACT 236—SB 268 Provides relative to abandonment of safety deposit boxes.
ACT 237—SB 270 Increases the daily compensation paid to jurors in civil cases.
ACT 238—SB 365 Requires that information be provided to students about high-demand, high-wage jobs during the development and revision of their individual graduation plans.
ACT 239—SB 381 Provides relative to the recordation of birth certificates of children born to armed forces members.
ACT 240—SB 396 Authorizes and provides for cooperative endeavor agreements between local governmental subdivisions and other entities that may require payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes.
ACT 241—SB 437 Provides relative to postsecondary education management board sick leave policies.
ACT 242—SB 447 Provides relative to powers and duties of the commissioner of conservation.
ACT 243—SB 461 Provides relative to deferral of certain unemployment insurance benefit charges and employer contributions.
ACT 244—SB 470 Provides relative to warranty agreements and claims involving the transfer recreational vehicles.
ACT 245—SB 481 Provides relative to students impacted due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
ACT 246—SB 505 Provides for a temporary restraining order upon application by a peace officer under certain circumstances.
ACT 247—HB 4 Provides relative to the frequency of plan experience studies for the Parochial Employees’ Retirement System of Louisiana.
ACT 248—HB 6 Provides relative to reports by executive branch agencies.
ACT 249—HB 21 Provides relative to membership and benefits of the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System.
ACT 250—HB 152 Provides for insurance coverage for acupuncture.
ACT 251—HB 167 Provides relative to the submission of nominees for the offices of president and vice president.
ACT 252—HB 189 Provides relative to the time for filing pretrial motions.
ACT 253—HB 248 Provides relative to overtime compensation of Department of State employees for election-related activities during certain time periods.
ACT 254—HB 274 Provides for the execution of electronic notarial acts.
ACT 255—HB 307 Makes supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
ACT 256—HB 311 Provides relative to denial of coverage by dental plans.
ACT 257—HB 335 Authorizes the lieutenant governor and the secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to designate a person to serve in their stead on certain boards and commissions.
ACT 258—HB 361 Provides relative to supported decision making agreements as a less restrictive means to interdiction.
ACT 259—HB 371 Provides relative to the comprehensive sports injury management program for student athletics
ACT 260—HB 372 Creates the Forest Oak Windsor Place Crime Prevention, Improve-ment, and Beautification District in East Baton Rouge Parish.
ACT 261—HB 374 Establishes an economic development district in Morehouse Parish.
ACT 262—HB 375 Provides relative to gravity drainage districts in Calcasieu Parish.
ACT 263—HB 390 Establishes a parking fee exemption for disabled veterans at cruise terminals for the Port of New Orleans.
ACT 264—HB 404 Provides relative to clerks of court.
ACT 265—HB 409 Provides with respect to purchasing by school boards.
ACT 266—HB 410 Provides relative to the presumption of paternity.
ACT 267—HB 421 Provides relative to bail bond enforcement.
ACT 268—HB 425 Revises membership and provides relative to powers and duties of the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Commission
ACT 269—HB 435 Provides relative to nonconsensual pelvic or rectal examinations by health care providers and medical students.
ACT 270—HB 463 Authorizes the governing authority of the city of Crowley to levy a hotel occupancy tax.
ACT 271—HB 469 Allows nighttime hunting of outlaw quadrupeds, nutria, and beaver on private property at any time of the year.
ACT 272—HB 474 Provides relative to the training requirements of certain mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglectuthorizes a health insurance issuer to provide policy information electronically.
ACT 273—HB 477 Provides relative to technology procurement.
ACT 274—HB 497 Requires each auditee in state government to provide the legislative auditor with direct access to data
ACT 275—HB 498 Provides relative to occupational license and examination fee waiver and payment plan for qualified individuals
ACT 276—HB 530 Provides for coverage of healthcare services provided through telehealth or telemedicine
ACT 277—HB 532 Provides relative to Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing
ACT 278—HB 561 Provides for the administration, enforcement, and adjudication of state and local taxes and for the jurisdiction of the Board of Tax Appeals
ACT 279—HB 590 Provides relative to the donation of equipment and personnel between two political subdivisions
ACT 280—HB 591 Provides relative to the membership of the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission
ACT 281—HB 594 Provides relative to partitions by private sale
ACT 282—HB 607 Provides relative to documentation required for certain driver’s licenses
ACT 283—HB 614 Provides relative to data security for persons regulated by the commissioner of insurance
ACT 284—HB 729 Establishes the Council on the Children of Incarcerated Parents and Caregivers and repeals the termination of the Children’s Cabinet
ACT 285—HB 759 Provides for the suspension of certain time periods, limitations, and delays in declared states of disaster, emergency, or public health emergency
ACT 286—HB 819 Authorizes the recommendation of medical marijuana for additional conditions and allows any state-licensed physician to recommend medical marijuana.
ACT 287—HB 131 Provides relative to covered claims of the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association
ACT 288—HB 450 Provides penalties for simple burglary committed under certain circumstances
ACT 289—HB 634 Provides relative to security for deposits required by certain entities
ACT 290—HB 640 Provides with respect to the salary of waterworks commissioners
ACT 291—HB 647 Authorizes the East Baton Rouge Redev-elopment Authority to use a trade name
ACT 292—HB 655 Provides relative to the employment of superintendents of schools
ACT 293—HB 685 Provides relative to interagency data sharing
ACT 294—HB 697 Provides relative to the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission
ACT 295—HB 702 Provides with respect to the practice of physician assistants
ACT 296—HB 709 Re-creates the Department of Revenue
ACT 297—HB 736 Authorizes the Louisiana Tax Commission to order the refund of statutory impositions declared invalid
ACT 298—HB 15 Provides for membership of certain new hires of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government in the Parochial Employees’ Retirement System of Louisiana
ACT 299—HB 140 Provides relative to the preemption of state law for firearms
ACT 300—HB 202 Establishes the Louisiana Tax Institute within the legislature and provides for the membership and the terms of membership of the governing board
ACT 301—HB 636 Creates and provides for the Joint Legislative Committee on Technology and Cybersecurity
ACT 302—SB 466 Provides for holding meetings electronically during certain emergencies or disasters
ACT 303—SB 491 Limits liability of persons who provide relief or recovery equipment or services during a declared state emergency
ACT 304—SB 494 Provides relative to coverage for mastectomies and reconstructive surgery
ACT 305—SB 508 Limits liability for restaurants that provide food-to-go during the COVID-19 public health emergency
The veto
HB 846 Gov. Edwards has vetoed HB 846 because he feels incentivizing the creation of five minimum wage jobs at $7.25 an hour is contrary to the sentiment of the people of Louisiana that the workforce should be able to earn a true living wage.
HAM RADIO
The Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service will participate in the annual Amateur Radio Relay League Ham Radio Field Day, from 1 p.m. June 27 to 4 p.m. June 28, at 201 Everett St., Morgan City (upstairs). Public invited.
Submitted Photos
The Stephensville Volunteer Fire Department recently received an upgraded rating from the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana. The department was upgraded from Class 5 to Class 4, which can result in lower homeowner insurance premiums for Stephensville residents. Members of the department are shown above. The chief is Jody Acosta, left.bottom photo.
BATON ROUGE —Two bills that aim to lower insurance rates in Louisiana by limiting damage suits by people injured in car accidents passed the House Monday and will move to the Senate for debate.
Both are generally similar to a bill by Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, that had been approved by the Legislature but was vetoed by Gov. John Bel Edwards on Friday.
It’s unclear if Republican legislators will attempt to muster the two-thirds majority vote needed to override Edwards’ veto of Talbot’s bill or hope that one of Garofalo or Schexnayder’s bills will have more success in the next two weeks before the special session ends.
The new bills each passed the House by wide enough margins that suggest either could survive a veto if the governor opposed them.
Also Monday, Edwards signed a bill backed by Republican leaders to give $300 million of the more than $900 million in federal coronavirus relief aid to businesses instead of routing all of it to state and local governments, as the governor had preferred.
All three bills aim to lower car insurance rates for drivers in Louisiana, who pay the second highest premiums in the country after Michigan, by changing Louisiana’s tort laws that Republican say make it too easy for injured people to file lawsuits after car accidents.
The new bills were written by Rep. Ray Garofalo, R-Chalmette, and Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales.
Both bills remove the last-minute flaw added into Talbot’s bill that would have required judges to award damages to injured plaintiffs at 1 ½ times the total premiums they had paid, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars more than the bill’s supporters had intended for many plaintiffs.
Garofalo’s bill follows Talbot’s lead and tackles four areas of tort law, but with a few changes. His bill would decrease the monetary amount an injury has to be worth to be decided by a jury rather than a judge; prohibit plaintiffs from suing insurance companies directly; increase the time parties have to file lawsuits to encourage settling out of court; and prohibit using evidence of a plaintiff receiving payment from sources besides the defendant.
The bill would also allow juries and judges to hear whether someone was wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident.
Garofalo’s bill mainly differs from Talbot’s by including a mini-jury process of six jurors and one alternate if a suit demands between $5,000 and $35,000 of interest and costs and if a jury is requested by at least one party. His bill passed 74-24, enough to override a veto from the governor, if it came to that.
Schexnayder’s bill makes similar adjustments to the state’s laws, but doesn’t contain as much detail as Garofalo’s. The bill gained more support than Garofalo’s with a vote of 78-22.
Insurance Comm-issioner Jim Donelon and supporters say the changes could lower insurance rates by at least 10% and possibly up to 25% in some cases. However, companies could be excused from reducing rates if they could prove that the reduction would lead to the company’s insolvency.
But Democrats say the bills do not require rate reductions, and it will make it harder for people injured in car accidents to receive the compensation they deserve.
“We’ve addressed this for the last eight years, and there’s a reason why this bill hasn’t passed,” said Rep. Randal Gaines, D-LaPlace. Referring to the promises that this type of legislation would lead to lower insurance rates, he added, “It’s not going to do what it’s proposed to do.”
Edwards vetoed Talbot’s bill, saying “it is neither a compromise nor a mandate to decrease auto insurance rates in Louisiana.” He then pointed out that no insurance company testified that the bill would lower rates.
“I remain convinced that if we are truly going to reduce insurance rates,” Edwards said, “we need to confront all of the underlying factors that lead to high insurance rates, such as distracted driving, poor road and bridge infrastructure, and discriminatory practices on credit rating and gender that lead to more uninsured or underinsured drivers.”
Garofalo’s and Schexnayder’s bills now move to the Senate, where Talbot’s bill first passed with enough votes to override a veto.
Louisiana has been awarded a $135 million federal grant to elevate La. 1, officials announced Monday.
La. 1 provides a critical hurricane evacuation route, along with access to Port Fourchon and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, officials said. The $445 million project involves building an elevated 8.3-mile stretch of two lanes along the highway from Golden Meadow to Leeville.
“As recently as June 8th, La 1 was closed after becoming impassable due to flooding from Tropical Storm Cristobal,” U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise said. “Elevating La. 1 is not only essential for the protection of Louisiana families, but absolutely vital for achieving American energy dominance and safeguarding access to our nation’s oil and natural gas supply.”
La. 1 services 17% of U.S. oil and gas production and is the only roadway leading to Port Fourchon, which handles nearly 90 percent of deep-water gas and petroleum extraction from the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson said.
Along with the federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant, funding will come in the form of $260 million allocated from the state, and a combined total of $50 million from the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Lafourche Parish and private sources, Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office says. The state’s match is provided through legislation approved last year.
“This is a prime example of what the state is able to accomplish when we work together and have adequate resources,” Edwards said.
Staff Report
A Pierre Part man was jailed Saturday and accused of domestic battery, resisting an officer and intentionally exposing someone to the AIDS virus, Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon said.
—Joel Anthony Landry, 35, La. 70 South, Pierre Part, was arrested on charges of resisting an officer, intentional exposure to the AIDS virus, possession of drug paraphernalia, cruelty to the infirm, simple criminal damage to property and domestic abuse battery.
Deputies were called to the location on Saturday afternoon and made contact with the complainant, who advised that Landry had destroyed the interior of the complainant’s dwelling.
On May 31, deputies were dispatched to the same address in reference to Landry beating on another subject. At the time, Landry had left the area.
In the latest incident, Landry is accused of committing a battery of an individual.
Deputies made contact and after interviewing the complainant, proceeded to arrest Landry. At that time, Landry initiated a physical confrontation with deputies. Landry allegedly emitted bodily fluids on an arresting officer.
Landry was arrested on charges resulting from both incidents. He was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported these arrests:
—Lawrence Alex Garrett, 23, Fourth Street, Gibson, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Friday on a warrant for nine counts of failure to appear.
Garrett was located at the Assumption Parish Detention Center and placed under arrest on active warrants held by City Court of Morgan City. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Shannon Ashmore Wainwright, 48, Pecan Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:16 a.m. Friday on a warrant for first-offense possession of marijuana and on a prescription requirements charge.
Officers came into contact with Wainwright on La. 182. A warrant check revealed City Court of Morgan City held active warrants for her arrest. She was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Kolbi Leroy Chatman, 24, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:38 p.m. Friday on a warrant for violation of a protective order.
Officers came into contact with Chatman in the area of Martin Luther King Boulevard.
A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Doug Gaudet, 26, Louisa Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:08 p.m. Friday on a warrant for first-offense possession of marijuana.
Gaudet turned himself into the Morgan City Police Department on an active warrant held by the Morgan City Police Department. He was booked and incarcerated.
—Joshua Dee Kiff, 27, Sixth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:13 p.m. Friday on a warrant for simple battery.
Gaudet was located at the Patterson Police Department on an active warrant held by the Morgan City Police Department. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Jonathan Hernandez Parker, 37, Michigan Street, Baytown, Texas, was arrested 3:07 p.m. Saturday on warrants for two counts and failure to appear .
Officers came into contact with Parker on Terrebonne Street. A warrant check revealed the City Court of Morgan City held active warrants for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Swavee Fields, 20, Spring Avenue, Ruston, at 9:36 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana and driving on right side of road. Fields was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Damien A. Hale, 30, Becnel Street, Franklin was arrested at 5:06 p.m. Friday on charges of simple battery and disturbing the peace-intoxicated Hale was released on a $3,500 bond.
—Juvenile male, 17, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. Friday on a charge of sexual battery.
—Elcondos L. Davis, 43, Martin Luther King Road, Charenton, was arrested at 12:08 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (drug-free zone) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Davis was released on a $4,000 bond.
—Madontris Dickerson, 22, Bernhardt Street, Port Arthur, Texas, was arrested at 7:46 p.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Dickerson was released Sept. 24.
—Xavier Coleman, 20, Louisiana Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:40 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana and general speed law.
Coleman was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Nicholas J. Francis, 41, Fortier Lane, Jeanerette, was arrested at 8:52 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of synthetic cannabinoids and possession of drug paraphernalia. Francis was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Lorenzo C. Merritt, 31, Hurst Street, Patterson, was arrested at 2:24 p.m. Sunday on charges of resisting an officer by flight, obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana and improper lane usage. Bond was set at $2,500.
—Christopher Olivier, 25, Fulton Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 5:42 a.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Olivier was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Ingrid S. Jack, 29, Pickett Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 9:09 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane usage. Jack was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Tyler P. Romero, 21, Capt Cade Road, Youngsville, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless operation. Romero was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Brook V. Burgess, 18, Mars Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:54 p.m. Sunday for careless operation, driving under suspension and no insurance. Burgess was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Ericka R. Cuvillier, 30, Darlene Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Sunday for simple battery. Cuvillier was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Bianca B. McDaniel, 28, Second Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:47 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. McDaniel was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Katyre A. White, 26, First Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:53 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and license plate obstruction. White was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Matthew L. Mote, 22, Amelia Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:52 a.m. Monday on charges of failure to drive right and no insurance. Mote was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reports this arrest:
—Ronald J. Barrow Jr., 24, Utah Street, Berwick, was arrested at 6:38 p.m. Friday on a charge of disturbing the peace-second offense.
At 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Berwick Police Department received numerous calls through E911 advising of a large disturbance taking place in the 700 block of Utah Street.
Officers arrived on scene and encountered Barrow, who was actively yelling profanities and trying to entice another individual into fighting him. While investigating the complaint, Barrow continuously ignored the officers’ instructions for him to quit yelling and cursing. At that point, he was placed under arrest for disturbing the peace.
Barrow was booked into the Berwick Jail and later released after posting a $196 cash bond.
The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Sunday, June 14
7:31 a.m. 6200 block of La. 182; Medical.
8:16 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Criminal damage to property.
8:31 a.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
8:31 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Alarm.
10:25 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
10:43 a.m. 600 block of Grove Street; Loud music.
10:59 a.m. 700 block of Front Street; Alarm.
11:16 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Stalled vehicle.
11:20 a.m. 100 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.
11:37 a.m. 1400 block of Youngs Road; Complaint.
1:23 p.m. 400 block of Bush Street; Medical.
1:42 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
1:45 p.m. Halsey Street; Complaint.
2:03 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Welfare concern.
2:06 p.m. La. 182; Reckless operation.
2:50 p.m. Fig Street; Stalled vehicle.
3:09 p.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Complaint.
3:09 p.m. 1300 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
3:22 p.m. 3000 block of Roderick Street; Alarm.
3:45 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
3:58 p.m. 400 block of Belanger Street; Complaint.
4:35 p.m. 400 block of Halsey Street; Disturbance.
5:34 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
7:05 p.m. 800 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal.
7:07 p.m. 1400 block of Sandra Street; Alarm.
8:12 p.m. Garber Street; Patrols.
8:41 p.m. Morgan City Police Department; Assistance.
8:57 p.m. 700 block of Bush Street; Complaint.
9:28 p.m. 500 block of General Macarthur Street; Suspicious man.
10:33 p.m. 200 block of Patton Street; Medical.
10:42 p.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Removal of subject.
11:04 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; 911 hang up call.
Monday, June 15
12:20 a.m. 300 block of Louisa Street; Theft.
3:07 a.m. Terrebonne Street; Arrest.
3:16 a.m. Old Bridge; Assistance.
3:26 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
4:45 a.m. La. 70; Alarm.
The Formosan subterranean termite is an invasive species introduced to the continental United States in the 1950s. In Louisiana, it was first reported in Lake Charles and New Orleans in the 1960s. Over the past decades, this termite species has successfully established colonies in wooden structures and live trees in urban and rural areas of 42 parishes in Louisiana.
The Formosan subterranean termite causes more than $500 million in losses in Louisiana every year, and it remains the primary structural pest in the state, and the threat is growing. The social lifestyle and cryptic habitat of these termites render integrated pest management, which combines several tactics, extremely challenging. The tactics include cultural practices, physical methods, biological control agents and chemical control.
There is a need to improve management and develop new control methods that rely on a more comprehensive understanding of termite biology.
Termites are social insects that display a division of labor based on an elaborate caste system consisting of reproductives, workers and soldiers. While in human societies, people communicate primarily using visual and acoustic signals, termite colonies are composed of mostly blind individuals that heavily rely on chemicals to locate food, detect pathogens, avoid predators and perform complex social communication.
Pheromones (the chemical markers termites produce) and other chemical cues from the environment profoundly influence the function of the colonies, which act as “superorganisms” to achieve ecological success and cause substantial structural damage through the wood products they consume. However, it is poorly understood how termites detect and decipher the chemical environments to perform their daily activities.
LSU AgCenter researchers are working to characterize the olfactory system, the sense of smell, of the Formosan subterranean termite, which will provide a better understanding of their chemical communication and improve its control. In insects, the olfactory system is composed of peripheral sensory organs (the antennae) and the central nervous system (the brain).
The termite antenna is shaped like a chain of beads, and each antenna is covered by hundreds of tiny sensory structures called sensilla. These sensilla differ in shape and function, allowing termites to perceive changing environmental conditions. Some sensilla look like hairs, others as pegs, pits, cones or plates. They can be sensitive to chemicals (chemosensilla), temperature, humidity or tactile stimuli. Chemosensilla are characterized by the presence of microscopic pores that allow the entrance of odorant molecules to their interior, where specialized proteins carry these molecules to olfactory sensory neurons, which further transmit the signals to certain brain regions. In the brain, the olfactory input will be quickly processed to determine if the termite should move toward or away from the source of that particular smell.
Although workers are the only caste that directly causes damage by looking for and feeding on wooden materials, the colony also relies on soldiers and reproductives to survive and prosper. AgCenter researchers found sensory level differences among the castes to accommodate their different behaviors.
Swarmers, the winged reproductives that disperse and establish new colonies, have more sensilla than workers and soldiers. This enhanced sensory capability allows these young reproductives to complete a long list of tasks: finding a mate, locating a new nesting site, collecting food and rearing the brood, before workers are produced to help. The tip of the antenna, regardless of caste identity, is more densely covered with sensilla compared with the base of this organ. Just like human fingertips with increased touch sensitivity due to mechanoreceptors underneath the skin, the antenna tips of termites may have increased sensitivity for smell. By determining what termites process to make them successful, we can discover new opportunities to target the physiological or behavioral process, manipulate their social activities and even eliminate the colonies.
More research is being conducted to explore the chemosensory genes expressed in the antennae and the chemical cues that mediate social behavior, particularly foraging activities of the Formosan subterranean termites.
—Qian “Karen” Sun is an assistant professor, and Paula Castillo is a graduate student in the Department of Entomology.
(This article appears in the spring 2020 issue of Louisiana Agriculture, which focuses on entomology.)
Franklin Banner-Tribune
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Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
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Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255