2006 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? The objective of this project is to utilize acoustics to detect, monitor and control pest infestations, primarily imported fire ants and termites. Early detection of termite infestations will help to reduce damage and loss. Behavioral responses of imported fire ants to an acoustical signal will allow us to develop a technique for surveying and monitoring fire ant populations, or to develop a novel non-chemical technique for control. Formosan termites are causing serious damage in cities along the Gulf Coast region, and imported fire ants are a major pest in fifteen states. These pests are estimated to cost over one billion dollars each year in the United States. This program, which combines regional programs and integrated pest management to develop novel strategies for the control of imported fire ants, falls primarily within Component 4 (Control Technology) of NP 104, with some aspects that fall within Components 2 (Detection and Surveillance Technology) and 3 (Biology and Physiology). The project includes elements of 2.1 (Detection and Diagnostics), 3.2 (Physiology, Anatomy, and Biochemistry), 4.1 (Chemical Pesticides and Repellents), and 4.2 (Biological Control). Additional details can be found in subordinate project 6402-22320-005-02S entitled, "Acoustics Detection of Pests in Crops, Structures, Trees, and Soils" and the subordinate project 6402-22320-005-01S entitled, "Acoustical Communication by Imported Fire Ants." 2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) This is a new project entitled, "Detection and Acoustical Communication of Termites and Fire Ants" established in April, 2006 and replaces an earlier project, "Acoustical Communication of Fire Ants and Termites." The milestones for this new project are currently undergoing development. 4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. The most significant accomplishment during FY 2006 is addressed in the recently replaced project, "Acoustical Communication of Fire Ants and Termites." 4b.List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. See earlier report. 4c.List significant activities that support special target populations. None. 4d.Progress report. Research on head-banging in the Formosan (FST) and Native Subterranean (Reticulitermes flavipes) (Rf) termite continued this year with high-speed video observations. Using a high-speed video camera at 10,000 frames per second we correlated the sound produced with the visual observation. In both species the prothorax was raised by using the body with little contribution from the legs. The head impact with the substrate occurs evenly over the ventral surface. Rf raises its head higher than FST. Both species often display head rebounding where after the original impact the head rebounds one to three times adding to the sounds produced. With the high-speed video we have calculated the head acceleration and velocity for both species. Rf has much higher values for both acceleration and velocity compared to FST. We can differentiate the termite species based on the head banging patterns. A termite acoustic incubator was designed and developed to simulate soil temperatures from 0-1 m depth in New Orleans City Park in order to determine seasonal activity variations caused by temperature. A four-inch diameter PVC pipe contained 4 wood inserts and 4 solid-state controlled heating pads placed at intervals along the pipe. Each wood insert had an acoustic waveguide connected to an accelerometer so that chewing vibrations and relative activity at the 4 zones could be detected without disturbing the termites. Despite extensive testing and modification the controllers could not accurately maintain temperatures at desired levels. We are currently modifying the design to provide improved temperature control. A novel device for the detection of termite vibrations within structural walls is being contstructed and is expected to be completed and tested in the laboratory in FY 2007. This device should provide improved speed and accuracy of termite detection within infested walls. Extensive programming has been accomplished this year in LabView that allows one software program for recording and analyzing data from all acoustic sensors. We currently have efficient routines for recording data in the field and laboratory that also couples metadata with acoustic wave files. The operator can add any additional data he wants to this metadata. We are currently working on the software routines for analysis of data recorded. We are currently evaluating additional equipment for recording directly in the field at optimal sampling rates and with flat-field response at all frequencies. We have also delivered additional termite detection probes to collaborators in New Orleans for use in discovering termite infestations in structures and trees. We evaluated software for detecting termite sounds. This software is an audio retrieval system originally designed to search the web and other databases for desired sounds. We tested this with short clips of male and female singers and with termite head-banging sounds. The program was in general extremely unsatisfactory for grouping sounds and termite head banging sounds could not be distinguished from other percussive sounds. 5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. This research project was recently established in April, 2006 and does not have a major accomplishment at this time. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? None 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). None