Limited information exists on genetic variation and distribution of Reticulitermes from the south central United States. Focusing on molecular sequence data from the mitochondrial DNA 16S gene, this study records the distribution and genetic variation of Reticulitermes species in Arkansas and updates the current distribution in a neighboring State, Louisiana. Termite samples were collected from the field, subjected to DNA analysis with Polymerase Chain-Reaction (PCR), and sequenced. Reticulitermes sp. sequence data were aligned, genetic distances recorded, and their respective haplotypes were evaluated for possible geographic structure. From 35 Arkansas counties, 59 R. flavipes, 13 R. hageni, and seven R. virginicus were identified. In Arkansas, 11 mitochondrial haplotypes were observed in R. flavipes, three in R. hageni and three in R. virginicus. Among the 12 Louisiana parishes sampled, 13 R. flavipes, three R. virginicus, and one R. tibialis were identified with six, three, and one haplotypes for each species, respectively. Genetic variation among the R. flavipes haplotypes from both States ranged from 0.2 to 0.9%. Reticulitermes flavipes haplotype diversity observed in Arkansas and Louisiana was lower than observed in Texas and Oklahoma.
