Are there any reproductive symbionts in the termites (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae) that may be used to manage termites of economic importance? Any published research on the occurence of symbionts/parasites naturally infesting the reproductive system of the termitidae?
Well there was a recent paper on Odontotermes and the associated Wolbachia sp. These are almost certainly endosymbionts of the reproductive track of those termites. I don't know about other Macrotermitinae. The paper I'm referring to is by Salunke et al. 2010 titled "Diversity of Wolbachia in Odontotermes spp. (Termitidae) and Coptotermes heimi (Rhinotermitidae) using the multigene approach" in FEMS Microbiology Letters 307: 55-64 see if you can get it online at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.01960.x/full#t1
I strongly believed that you can explore microbiological approach using identified pathogenic bacteria or fungi / mould to manage termite of economic importance (i.e Biological control measure). So, seek collaborative approach.
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