Barbara L. Thorne

Research Professor and Professor Emerita 
Email: [email protected] 
Fun Animated 4-Minute Ted-Ed Video ‘Lesson’ On Termites and their Queens: This link directs to a 4-minute TED-Ed video “Coneheads, egg stacks and anteater attacks: The reign of a termite queen.” The topic is the termite species (Nasutitermes corniger, conehead termite) that was the topic of Barbara Thorne’s dissertation work in the Neotropics, and that she is helping Florida try to eradicate where it snuck into the Ft. Lauderdale area. Barbara served as the Educator for this TED-Ed project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnXq8l-rwo

Podcast STEM-Talk: Barbara Thorne talks about E.O. Wilson, the Conehead Termite, and the Sociality of Termites: https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalk/episode-150/
This podcast interviews Dr. Thorne, asking how she got into science and studying termites, what it was like to be a graduate student and postdoc mentored by Professor Edward O. Wilson, about the many strengths of the University of Maryland’s Department of Entomology, her lab’s foundational work and Accelerated Inheritance theory regarding the evolution of eusociality in termites, and about the invasive conehead termite situation she is helping with in south Florida. The STEM-Talk site provides times during the podcast where particular topics are discussed, so if you’re interested in specific topics, you can select relevant segments.
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Research Interests
Evolutionary biology, termite biology, evolution of eusociality, genetics, urban and structural integrated pest management, invasive species

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: My research program focuses on the biology of termites, including studies in evolution, genetics, population biology, behavioral ecology, taxonomy, and systematics, and invasive species.

Termites are highly social insects that form complex colony structures with some aspects convergent to, and others that differ from, the paradigms of social organization and evolution established in the phylogenetically distant Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps). Our current research projects center on novel theoretical and experimental approaches to investigate the origin and maintenance of eusociality in termites. Eusocial colonies are cooperative societies composed mainly of subfertile or sterile members, regarded as an evolutionary paradox because they seem to conflict with Darwin's concept of reproductive self-interest. Lab and field experiments and genetic results our theory of Accelerated Inheritance as a driver of eusocial evolution in termites.

In studies of the primitive dampwood termite Zootermopsis nevadensis, we discovered that offspring from both original colonies can take advantage of early death of some kings and queens in intercolony interactions that naturally occur in the field. Following meetings between neighboring colonies, established reproductives often die, and workers from both families can differentiate into new reproductives and even interbreed. Because interacting colonies are unrelated, these results demonstrate that cooperation can evolve due to ecological circumstances without strong relatedness among individuals. These Accelerated Inheritance opportunities provide selective incentive for offspring to remain in their parents' colony rather than attempt the high risk of dispersal and low risk of independent reproductive success. 

There is also an applied aspect to the program. We integrate results of basic research with the development and testing of new technologies for suppression and control of termites. The goals of this approach are to more precisely target and effectively impact termites, thereby reducing pesticide use and exposure around homes. Evaluation of inspection and treatment programs using termite baits is an example of this link between basic and applied research.

CURRENT INVOLVEMENT WITH THE INVASIVE CONEHEAD TERMITE (Nasutitermes corniger) CONTAINMENT / CONTROL / ERADICATION PROGRAM IN SOUTH FLORIDA:

Since September 2012 I have served as Science Advisor for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' efforts targeting the exotic "Conehead Termite" (Nasutitermes corniger). This species was the focus of my Ph.D. research in Central America ‘back in the day,' and I have since studied it in South America and the Caribbean. When asked by the state of Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to get involved in trying to put the brakes on this infestation I felt I had to do my best to step up and help out. Here is a brief status report from "Coneheadquarters":
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The exotic conehead termite, Nasutitermes corniger, was discovered in Dania Beach, Florida (Ft. Lauderdale metropolitan area) in 2001, the first time it has established in the United States. These adaptable termites have potential to infest structures, landscape and agricultural plants, and natural habitats across a broad geographic range, with decisive economic consequences. Coneheads have expansive tastes, eagerly consuming dead wood from trees (including citrus), shrubs, roots, structures, and furniture as well as cardboard and other paper products. Eradication of this invasive species may be possible because older colonies build conspicuous foraging tunnels and nests, so unlike subterranean termites, careful inspection can reveal conehead activity for targeted treatment.
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After reinventing the eradication effort in 2012, FDACS has advanced dramatic success in suppressing this threatening pest. No live conehead termites have been found in previously infested areas of Dania Beach (west of Interstate 95) since 2018; Pompano Beach since 2020, and Davie FL after 2015. Continued vigilant monitoring is essential because, especially as young colonies, coneheads may occupy an area for years before showing visible signs of activity.

The only known remaining population of conehead termites in Florida was discovered in 2020. Activity spans just 10 acres east of Interstate 95 in Ft. Lauderdale and Dania Beach, Broward Co., Florida. Intensive actions are urgent to halt the species before it spreads further and becomes a powerfully damaging, expensive, obnoxious, and permanent pest.

FDACS’ innovative, proven-effective protocols to find, treat, and monitor conehead termites are published in detail for use in reducing the chances of future introductions and establishment of this malicious pest (see Dr. Thorne’s publication list).
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Recent Publications
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United States Patents:
  • Thorne, B.L. and J.F.A. Traniello. 1994. System for Termite Detection and Control. U.S. Patent #5,329,726.
  • Thorne, B.L. and J.F.A. Traniello. 1996. System for Termite Detection and Control. U.S. Patent #5,555,672.
  • Thorne, B.L. and J.F.A. Traniello. 1996. Methods and Compositions to Monitor and Control Termites. U.S. Patent #5,573,760.
  • Thorne, B.L. 1999. Chemical-Free Method for Detection and Removal of Head Lice. U.S. Patent #6,006,758.
Awards and Honors:
  • College of Life Sciences Teaching and Course Development Award, University of Maryland, Spring 2000
  • Orkin Award for Research Excellence 1999
  • Recognition for Outstanding Service to Returning Students, University of Maryland, College Park October 1998
  • Member of the University of Maryland Urban Integrated Pest Management Team receiving the 1996 U.S.
  • Department of Agriculture Secretary's Honor Award, Group Category
  • Lilly Fellow, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Maryland 1995-1996
  • College of Agriculture, University of Maryland. 1995. Junior Faculty Award.
  • Orkin Award for Research Excellence. 1995.
  • Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America. 1995. Distinguished Achievement Award in Urban Entomology.
  • Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America. 1994. Distinguished Achievement Award in Urban Entomology.
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Education 
  • Ph.D. 1983 Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
  • M.A. 1978 Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
  • B.A. 1976 Biology, Brown University
Department of Entomology 
University of Maryland 
4112 Plant Sciences Building 
College Park, MD 20742-4454
USA

Telephone: 301.405.3911 
Fax: 301.314.9290