scholarly journals Differential time allocation of foraging workers in the subterranean termite

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Bin Lee ◽  
Thomas Chouvenc ◽  
Nan-Yao Su
Keyword(s):  
Time Allocation ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Task Specialization ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Foraging Site ◽  
Geometry Analysis ◽  
Cluster 2

Abstract Background Foraging in group living animals such as social insects, is collectively performed by individuals. However, our understanding on foraging behavior of subterranean termites is extremely limited, as the process of foraging in the field is mostly concealed. Because of this limitation, foraging behaviors of subterranean termites were indirectly investigated in the laboratory through tunnel geometry analysis and observations on tunneling behaviors. In this study, we tracked subsets of foraging workers from juvenile colonies of Coptotermes formosanus (2-yr-old) to describe general foraging behavioral sequences and to find how foraging workers allocate time between the foraging site (food acquisition or processing) and non-foraging site (food transportation). Results Once workers entered into the foraging site, they spent, on average, a significantly longer time at the foraging site than the non-foraging site. Our clustering analysis revealed two different types of foraging workers in the subterranean termite based on the duration of time they spent at the foraging site and their foraging frequency. After entering the foraging site, some workers (cluster 1) immediately initiated masticating wood fragments, which they transferred as food boluses to recipient workers at the foraging site. Conversely, the recipient workers (cluster 2) moved around after entering the foraging site and received food from donating workers. Conclusions This study provides evidence of task specialization within foraging cohorts in subterranean termites.

Termite Behavior: Measuring the Postanoxic Consumption Rates of Landscape Mulches by Eastern Subterranean Termites

2013 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-45
Author(s):  
D. Parks Collins
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Statistical Test ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Petri Dishes ◽  
Eastern Subterranean Termite

Populations of the Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, are widespread throughout most of the eastern United States. Subterranean termites have the ability to survive flooding conditions by lowering their metabolism. This lesson investigates the connection between the ability of termites to lower their metabolism to survive floods and their feeding behavior. Using an incubator, Petri dishes, and different types of mulch, termite consumption can be measured and compared. These results can be analyzed with a simple statistical test to look for significance.

RETENTION TIME AND TOXICITY OF A DYE MARKER, SUNDAN RED 7B, ON FORMOSAN AND EASTERN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE)

1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan-Yao Su ◽  
Rudolf H. Scheffrahn ◽  
Paul Ban
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Retention Time ◽  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Mark Recapture ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki ◽  
Eastern Subterranean Termite ◽  
Significant Mortality

Workers of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) were force-fed a dye marker, Sudan Red 7B, and confined with different proportions of unmarked termites. No significant mortality due to the dye was detected for up to 8 weeks after the treatment in either species. The marked/unmarked proportion did not affect the retention of the dye or mortality. Workers of C. formosanus retained visible dye for 6 weeks, while significant numbers (10–50%) of marked R. flavipes lost the dye within two weeks. Sudan Red 7B is suitable for estimating population size of C. formosanus with the multiple-marking method where the mark-recapture period extends to 6 weeks. The dye is not an adequate marker for R. flavipes when the mark-recapture period is ≥ 2 weeks.

Rhabditis rainai n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditida) associated with the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Nematology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 863-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weste Osbrink ◽  
Lynn Carta
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
New Orleans ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Lateral Field ◽  
Straight Blade ◽  
Bacterial Cultures ◽  
Fiji Islands ◽  
Soil Isolate

AbstractRhabditis rainai n. sp. is described from the gut and head of sick Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus) collected in New Orleans, LA, USA (isolate LKC20). Rhabditis rainai n. sp. is a hermaphroditic species with an unusual prerectum, four denticles per glottoid swelling, enlarged posterior stoma, three paired lip sectors, protruding posterior anal lip, and five ridges in the hermaphrodite lateral field. Males generated from starved bacterial cultures have three lateral field ridges and a notched peloderan bursa with only eight rays. Male spicules are distinctive with a round but truncated head, constricted neck, narrow shoulders, nearly straight blade with distal tenth upturned, and rounded tips supporting a curved ventral arch. Males of LKC20 were mated successfully with hermaphrodites cultured from a Fiji Islands soil (isolate PS1191). In subsequent crosses, male progeny were fertile as expected for conspecific populations. Differences in morphometrics of cultured specimens that were heat-killed or fixed is demonstrated. Rhabditis rainai n. sp. was compared to R. blumi and R. adenobia, but does not fit clearly within the current subgenera of Rhabditis or genera of Rhabditidae. Nematode-termite relationships and possible origin of R. rainai n. sp. with Formosan subterranean termites from Southeast Asia are discussed.

scholarly journals Coptotermes formosanusandCoptotermes gestroi(Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Exhibit Quantitatively Different Tunneling Patterns

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirmala K. Hapukotuwa ◽  
J. Kenneth Grace
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Dispersion ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Termite Species ◽  
Coptotermes Gestroi ◽  
Distribution And Ecology ◽  
Tunneling Behavior ◽  
Made In

Tunneling behavior and the spatial dispersion of tunnels constructed by the subterranean termitesCoptotermes formosanusShiraki andCoptotermes gestroi(Wasmann) (formerly known asC. vastatorLight) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) were examined in foraging arenas. The results indicated that these two termite species construct quantitatively different tunnel systems, supporting visual observations made in earlier studies.Coptotermes gestroiconstructed thin, highly branched tunnels, whileC. formosanustended to construct wider and less branched tunnels. Tunnels ofC. gestroishowed more spatial dispersion than those ofC. formosanus, and this species constructed a larger number of tunnels compared toC. formosanus. The presence or absence of food (wood) within the arena did not influence the tunneling pattern of either species. Although previous observations have suggested that these two termite species exhibit different tunneling behaviors; this is the first quantification of the differences. Comparative studies of the foraging behavior of subterranean termite species contribute to our understanding of their distribution and ecology and may help to improve pest management programs, particularly those based on placement of toxic baits. Moreover, differences in tunneling patterns may reflect different foraging strategies optimized for either tropical (C. gestroi) or subtropical/temperate (C. formosanus) environments.

scholarly journals Temperature-Mediated Variations in Behavior and Mortality Caused by Non-Repellent Insecticides in Subterranean Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Franklin Quarcoo ◽  
Xing Hu ◽  
Arthur Appel
Keyword(s):  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki ◽  
Lethal Time

Behavioral symptoms and mortality associated with intoxication with insecticides fipronil and indoxacarb were determined in field-collected eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), and Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Behaviors and mortality were evaluated at three temperatures (16, 22, and 28 °C) and three concentrations of fipronil (0.5, 1, and 5 ppm) and indoxacarb (50, 75, and 100 ppm). LT50 (median lethal time to kill 50% of the termites) values declined with increasing concentrations and temperatures for both fipronil-exposed eastern and Formosan subterranean termites, whereas these values were not always the highest at 16 °C for indoxacarb-treated termites. The greatest change (reduction) in LT50 values occurred for both species between 16 and 22 °C at the lowest concentration of each insecticide. Intoxication and moribundity were the most frequently observed behaviors for fipronil-exposed termites, whereas intoxication, ataxia, and moribundity were observed for most concentration and temperature combinations for indoxacarb-exposed termites. The inherent toxicity of fipronil was higher than that of indoxacarb. The higher presence and duration of intoxication behaviors may positively affect the performance of indoxacarb against subterranean termite colonies.

Terpene-lnduced Morphological Changes to Exoskeleton of Formosan Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): Toxic Effects of cis-nerol

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233
Author(s):  
Betty C. R. Zhu ◽  
Gregg Henderson ◽  
Huixin Fei ◽  
Xiao Ying ◽  
Roger A. Laine
Keyword(s):  
Soluble Fraction ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Water Soluble Fraction ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki ◽  
Scanning Electron

The terpenoid, cis-nerol was found to be highly toxic to the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Morphological abnormalities were observed in the exoskeleton including the spiracles and trichoid sensilla using scanning electron microscopy after exposure of termites to cis-nerol for 2 h. Proteins were found in a water-soluble fraction collected from the whole termite body exposed to cis-nerol for 60 min. It appears that terpenoids cause damage to cell membranes resulting in a significant loss of proteins.

scholarly journals Color change and termite resistance of fast-growing tropical woods treated with kesambi (Schleichera oleosa) smoke

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Sudo Hadi ◽  
Muh Yusram Massijaya ◽  
Dodi Nandika ◽  
Wa Ode Muliastuty Arsyad ◽  
Imam Busyra Abdillah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Color Change ◽  
Acacia Mangium ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Schleichera Oleosa ◽  
Termite Attack ◽  
Wood Resistance ◽  
Tropical Woods ◽  
Anthocephalus Cadamba

Abstract Smoke treatment can be used to enhance wood resistance to subterranean termite attack. In this study, kesambi (Schleichera oleosa) wood was pyrolyzed to produce charcoal. The smoke produced as a by-product of pyrolysis was used to treat sengon (Falcataria moluccana), jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba), mangium (Acacia mangium), and pine (Pinus merkusii) wood samples for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Following the smoke treatment, the wood specimens were exposed to subterranean termites (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren) according to the Indonesian standard 7207-2014 in a laboratory. The color change caused by smoke treatment was observed, and chemical analysis of smoke was also done. The results showed that chemical compounds of kesambi smoke predominantly consisted of acetic acid, phenol, ketones, amines, and benzene. The color of smoked wood became darker, less yellow, and a little redder, while a longer smoking period produced a darker color which was more resistant to termite attack. Smoke treatment enhanced the resistance of wood to subterranean termite attack, and the resistance levels were not significantly different based on the duration of the smoke treatment.

scholarly journals Concentration-Dependent Feeding Deterrence to 20-Hydroxyecdysone for Three Subterranean Termite Species (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Lucas Carnohan ◽  
Sang-Bin Lee ◽  
Nan-Yao Su
Keyword(s):  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Molting Hormone ◽  
Feeding Deterrence ◽  
Insect Feeding ◽  
Substrate Consumption ◽  
Termite Species ◽  
Potential Methods

Effective active ingredients in toxicant bait formulations must be non-deterrent to insect feeding behavior at lethal concentrations. This study evaluated feeding deterrence for Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, C. gestroi (Wasmann), and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) when provided access to cellulose impregnated with various concentrations of the insect molting hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Termites were exposed to 20E concentrations of 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm and to noviflumuron at 5000 ppm in a 24 h choice-test, and the mass of substrate consumption from treated and untreated media pads was compared for each treatment. 20E feeding deterrence was detected at 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm for C. gestroi, and at 2000 ppm for C. formosanus. No significant differences in consumption of treated and untreated substrate was detected at any concentration for R. flavipes. Potential methods for reducing deterrence are discussed.

Feeding site selection by workers of the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) – a re-analysis of field data from a mark–recapture study

2003 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.-Y. Su ◽  
P.N. Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Random Search ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Frequency Data ◽  
Feeding Frequency ◽  
Feeding Site ◽  
Formosan Subterranean Termite ◽  
Computer Simulation Program ◽  
Bait Stations

AbstractDuring the early stages of the development of termite baits, dyed paper was placed in specified feeding stations to ascertain whether a slow-acting toxicant could be placed in a few bait stations to be delivered to the entire colony members of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Feeding frequency data, as measured by the dye concentration in individual termites, suggested the absence of feeding site fidelity. However, these results were often misinterpreted as random movement of termites that were marked and released for population estimate studies, or the random search of food in soil by subterranean termites. A computer simulation program was constructed to re-examine this feeding frequency data, and confirmed the earlier conclusion that the lack of feeding site fidelity was the most likely explanation for the data.

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