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The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is a highly destructive pest and an invasive species to the United States. In Louisiana, this termite was first reported in Lake Charles and New Orleans in the 1960s.
Since then, it has spread to 42 parishes. Because the Formosan subterranean termite has a larger colony size than the native subterranean termites, more damages are incurred in less time by this species.
Each year, $1 billion nationally is funneled into control of this pest and repair of damaged structures. Foraging behavior, such as searching for food, is essential for the survival of termite colonies, and this behavior plays a critical role in structural damage and economic loss. The comprehensive understanding of foraging behavior is an integrative component of termite management.
Subterranean termites nest underground and construct extensive tunnels in soil to search for cellulose-based food sources, including decaying logs, wooden structures and trees.
Termites are social insects that live in highly organized colonies. Workers constitute the bulk of the colony, and they are responsible for tunneling, food collection and feeding other colony members, including the reproductives (the queens and kings), brood and soldiers.
The foraging range of a Formosan subterranean colony may extend to 300 feet. Foraging is a collective effort and a complex process, and this behavior is influenced by a variety of social conditions and environmental factors. A larger colony constructs exploratory tunnels more efficiently. Once food is encountered, workers lay a scent trail, known as the trail pheromone, to recruit more colony members for food collection.
Subterranean termites are attracted to moisture in soil, but they are deterred by predators, which are mainly ants.
LSU AgCenter researchers are investigating how environmental factors, such as humidity, moisture and food availability, affect the survival and foraging behavior of the Formosan subterranean termites. Desiccation is an important environmental stressor, and substrate moisture either from soil or food is required for the survival and foraging activity of these termites.
Research findings showed that, without substrate moisture, workers and soldiers died of desiccation under 15% relative humidity within a day and did not survive for more than two weeks under 98% relative humidity.
AgCenter scientists further examined the effects of different soil moisture contents on termite survival, tunneling and feeding activity. An experiment was performed using a planar arena filled with sand, where termites were kept for 28 days under six moisture regimes, 0%, 1%, 5%, 15%, 25% and 30%.
The results showed that no tunneling or feeding activity was performed when the sand was completely dry (0% moisture). Termites were able to initiate tunneling activity at 1% moisture, but a minimum of 5% moisture was required for their survival and food consumption. Foraging activities in sand were optimal at 15% and 25% moisture.
The findings highlighted the importance of soil moisture for subterranean termite activity. Homeowners are advised to eliminate moisture problems around their structures, such as fixing dripping faucets outdoors and repairing leaks in the roof or pipes, to prevent subterranean termite infestation.
In addition, food deprivation is a stimulating factor for foraging in the Formosan subterranean termite. When termites were starved for one day, they tunneled more extensively and consumed more food, while starvation for a longer time (seven days) did not promote foraging activity.
Using termites collected from Baton Rouge and New Orleans, more research is being conducted to determine the molecular mechanisms of foraging behavior. Based on previous studies in fruit flies and honeybees, AgCenter scientists have identified a foraging gene in the Formosan subterranean termite.
This gene is highly conserved in animals and is a known regulator of foraging behavior in many insects. Future studies on foraging and other genes involved in foraging behavior will reveal new molecular targets that may aid in developing novel termite management tactics.
—Arjun Khadka and Steven Richardson are graduate students, and Qian “Karen” Sun is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomolog.
(This article appears in the winter 2022 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.)

Doris Ann Burris, 64, a native of Franklin and resident of Morgan City, died Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson.
Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. at New Zorah Baptist Church in Morgan City. Masks and social distancing required. Burial will follow in Morgan City Cemetery.
She is survived by siblings, Birdella Jones of Berwick, Henry Burris and Brenda Green, both of Franklin, William Burris of Patterson and Chester Burris of Baton Rouge; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents and four sisters.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

DEAR ABBY: I am 15 and have a big problem. My mom and my dad have been married a long time. I was looking through pictures on Mom’s phone and found some very inappropriate and romantic texts from “Rob,” her business partner. Mom forces our whole family to hang out with Rob, and my brother doesn’t like him either. But anytime we bring it up, my mom yells at us and makes me cry. She wants me to be friends with Rob.
One time when we were all at a restaurant, someone asked if he was my dad. I know what she is doing with him, and I can’t focus on school because of it. I think my dad knows — kind of — but I’m sure he hasn’t seen the texts that I saw. I don’t want to ruin my family, but I cry about it every night alone. I know my parents won’t go to couples counseling, and I don’t want to hurt my brother either. Any help would be very much appreciated.
KID WHO KNOWS THE TRUTH

DEAR KID: Because this is causing emotional problems that are affecting your studies, it can’t be ignored. It is time for you to talk about this with a school counselor, a relative or a family friend for emotional support and guidance.
I also think at some point you should talk to your mother about what you found on her phone. Tell her that’s the reason you don’t want to be friends with her business partner. Your sense of right and wrong is valid, and don’t let her tell you otherwise. Do not be surprised if she’s upset about the fact that you know what has been going on, so be prepared for it. I am sorry you have to go through this. It’s a shame.

DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, my husband and I bought and moved into a very old, small house in our ideal neighborhood, which has beautifully manicured yards, nice people and a lot of diversity. We had a vision for this place, and it was perfect for us.
A friend of mine, “Maggie,” who I knew had a judgmental streak, repeatedly asked to come see the house, which I knew was nowhere near in the condition for visitors. After about her 10th request, I told myself maybe I was overreacting to her potential reaction, and I invited her into my home for a tour. Three years later, my husband and I remodeled our home to fit our vision. We are happy.
Six months after the remodel was complete, my husband and I were at a friend’s house and Maggie was there. At one point, Maggie’s husband commented to us that he couldn’t believe we had moved into that “s—- shack.” My husband’s jaw dropped. Maggie jumped up and said, “I didn’t call it that!” Of course it was logical that she did. She had seen it; he had not.
To this day, a year and a half later, I cannot get over why someone I invited into my home would say something so horrible about it behind my back or that her husband would repeat it among a group of mutual friends. My husband refuses to engage with Maggie and her husband. What should I do?
PROUD OF MY HOME NOW

DEAR PROUD: I am sorry you didn’t write sooner about this. If you had, I would have advised you to tell Maggie exactly how that incident made you and your husband feel. It is a little late for that now, but you would certainly be within your rights to clear the air if you wish. What they said was uncalled for.
***
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Technically no one has announced to run for governor of Louisiana in 2023.
There have been more than a few strong hints and countless winks and nods, but no images of politicians standing before adoring audiences saying, “I’m a candidate for governor!”
The lack of announced candidates is odd. By this time during the last open race for governor, in the spring of 2014, three of the four leading contenders for governor had already declared their intentions.
Maybe that’s why the past couple of weeks have been jam-packed with speculation about who might run.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is among those expected to qualify for governor next year, which will in turn create a vacancy in his current office.
Should that happen, quite a few politicos will be interested in the job.
Lieutenant governor is the second-highest elected state position.
Individuals who held the office in the past used it as a stepping stone to governor — either through good politics or the constitutional line of succession.
The state’s No. 2 elected official also oversees the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
Put another way, the lieutenant governor is Louisiana’s chief marketer. In terms of political jobs, it’s a pretty good one.
The 2023 contest should be entertaining, if nothing else.
A colorful cast of characters is already flirting with the developing race, which is beginning to sound like a dream-come-true for reporters.
Many folks already know House Speaker Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales intends to run. It’s an interesting move for Schexnayder to want to be the state’s chief marketer.
A mechanic and former race car driver, Schexnayder has openly discussed his dislike for the media, press conferences and public speaking.
A Republican, Schexnayder will be in an enviable position leading up to the primary vote. His ability to generate earned media will be unparalleled in the race and he is already working the right side of the electorate.
Schexnayder has spent the last few weeks meeting with pastors and other influencers from around the state.
He will also be able to campaign on the fact that he appointed more Republican chairmen in the House than anyone else in modern history.
All he has to do now is learn to love public speaking.
Others looking at the race, meanwhile, won’t shy away from microphones.
The newest name to add to the fray belongs to Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle, who was re-elected without opposition as a Democrat in 2020.
Political insiders know Camardelle well — he’s down on the island when politicos travel south for fishing rodeos and you can’t miss his gorilla costume during Washington Mardi Gras.
Politicos in the region recognize his unique guerrilla marketing skills, and his ability to stand strong against everything from oil spills to hurricanes.
Camardelle said that’s why folks are urging him to run for lieutenant governor. “I’m getting calls from other parts of the state, too,” Camardelle said. “Right now I’m focused on getting this island in good shape. But you never know.”
For his part, former state Sen. Elbert Guillory of Opelousas is already out and about campaigning for lieutenant governor.
The Republican was at an event hosted by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry recently handing out business cards that declared “Louisiana Needs a Paw Paw” — bringing back the days when our politicians were known as Uncle Earl and Coozan Dud.
Yet Paw Paw Elbert has something his potential competitors do not.
He has a federal campaign account called “Elbert Guillory’s America,” which raised and spent an eye-opening $3 million from January of last year through this past February.
Today, the account is holding about $683,000 in cash.
Asked if he would be willing to transfer any of that cash to a supportive political action committee on the state level, Guillory said, “No way.
That money has been designated for other purposes. Not for my race.”
In comparison, Guillory’s state campaign finance account is holding about $3,000, but he clearly has the ability to raise some serious dough on the national level.
Schexnayder, not surprisingly, has nearly $355,000 and will be able to super-charge that tally with ease. Camardelle, who seems to be leaning more toward re-election on the island, has roughly $10,000 in the bank.
More potential candidates may surface in the coming months, but for now the speculation paints a portrait of a race worth tuning into next year.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.