Tales from the hydrocarbon zone

The author discusses the influence of his friend and colleague Michael I. Haverty on termite research, particularly in Hawaii. Collaborative projects in Hawaii during 1995-2005 addressed cuticular hydrocarbons as a tool for termite species identification; the influence of termite caste and seasonal variation on subterranean termite hydrocarbons; effects of temperature and humidity on drywood termite hydrocarbons; and identification of cryptic drywood termite species by the hydrocarbons in their feces. Fecal pellets are frequently the only visible evidence of a drywood termite infestation and can provide information on the species involved, whether an eradication attempt has been successful, and possibly (and more speculatively) the population size and age of the infestation.