Effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the tunneling behavior of Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Arab, Alberto; Costa–Leonardo, Ana Maria

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2005.04.001

Cited by 62 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Tunnels of C. gestroi showed more spatial dispersion than those of C. formosanus, and this species constructed a larger number of tunnels compared to C. formosanus. As has been reported by other researchers (Arab and Costa-Leonardo 2005), the presence or absence of wood within the arena did not influence the tunneling pattern of either species.…”

Section: Bt Forschler (Ed) Proceedings Of the 10th Pacific-rim Termsupporting

confidence: 65%

Assessment of Genetic Markers for the Determination ofCoptotermes formosanus×Coptotermes gestroi(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) F1 Hybrids

Chouvenc

Osorio

Chakrabarti

et al. 2017

Florida Entomologist

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Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) and Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) represent the most widely distributed subterraean termites (Rhinotermitidae) in the world. The wide distribution of C. gestroi has only come to light in the past decade, as numerous junior synonyms for this tropical termite have been resolved. With C. gestroi found in the equatorial zone, and C. formosanus in the subtropics and warm temperate regions, the distributions of these two invasive termites currently overlap in only three locations in the world: Taiwan, Hawaii and Florida. Comparative studies have identified a number of biological and behavioral differences between the two species, such as greater desiccation tolerance in C. formosanus, as well as a possible variation in aggressiveness related to the origin of different C. gestroi populations. The tunneling patterns of C. gestroi and C. formosanus are quite distinct, and appear to reflect both the distribution of woody resources in the ecological zones inhabited by each species and selection of different optimal foraging strategies.

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Section: Bt Forschler (Ed) Proceedings Of the 10th Pacific-rim Termsupporting

confidence: 65%

Assessment of Genetic Markers for the Determination ofCoptotermes formosanus×Coptotermes gestroi(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) F1 Hybrids

Chouvenc

Osorio

Chakrabarti

et al. 2017

Florida Entomologist

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“…Effects of soil moisture on feeding and tunneling activity have been extensively studied (Su and Puche 2003, Arab and Costa-Leonardo 2005, Green et al 2005, McManamy et al 2008). In addition, several studies have linked relative humidity to the survival and 1 USDA-ARS, SRRC, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124 This article presents the results of research only.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Temperature and Humidity on Survival of Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Wiltz

2015

Sociobiology

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Two subterranean termite species were subjected to combinations of six temperatures (10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, or 35°C) and five relative humidities (RH) (55, 65, 75, 85, or 99%) to determine optimum conditions for survival. When small groups of the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki or the eastern subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) were exposed to all 30 combinations of temperature and RH, survival times were significantly influenced by temperature, RH, and their interaction. For both species, survival times were longest at low temperatures and high RH. Maximum survival of small groups of C. formosanus and R. flavipes workers and soldiers occurred at the combination of 10°C and 99% RH C (LT 50 = 28.2 d, LT 50 = 18.1 d, respectively). Survival of paired C. formosanus dealates was evaluated at combinations of 20°, 25°, or 30°C and 55, 65, 75, 85, or 99% RH. Survival was strongly influenced by temperature and humidity. Longest survival times until 50% mortality occurred at 99% RH and 20° or 25°C (LT 50 = 2.5 d, LT 50 = 3.0 d, respectively). At all temperatures, mortality occurred too quickly for LT 50 values to be determined when RH was 55% or 65%.

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“…Although not addressed in the current study, the interaction between the trail pheromone of termite species and their food search patterns might lead to more efficient location of food [12]. Trail pheromone plays a fundamental role in the orientation and recruitment of termites [30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Houseman and Gold [1] observed that tunneling rates increased in response to the concentration of sand in the soil. Su and Puche [10] and Green et al [11] found that soil moisture positively affected tunneling rates; and Arab and CostaLeonardo [12] reported that increased temperature increased tunneling rates. Cornelius and Osbrink [13] concluded that physical properties of soil affected both tunneling through the soil and above-ground construction of shelter tubes (protected runways between the soil and wood), and that termites tunnel through sand faster than through top soil or clay.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Hapukotuwa¹,

Grace

2012

Psyche: A Journal of Entomology

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Tunneling behavior and the spatial dispersion of tunnels constructed by the subterranean termites Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (formerly known as C. vastator Light) (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 gestroi constructed thin, highly branched tunnels, while C. formosanus tended to construct wider and less branched tunnels. Tunnels of C. gestroi showed more spatial dispersion than those of C. formosanus, and this species constructed a larger number of tunnels compared to C. 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.

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Effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the tunneling behavior of Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Cited by 62 publications

References 12 publications

Assessment of Genetic Markers for the Determination ofCoptotermes formosanus×Coptotermes gestroi(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) F1 Hybrids

Assessment of Genetic Markers for the Determination ofCoptotermes formosanus×Coptotermes gestroi(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) F1 Hybrids

Effect of Temperature and Humidity on Survival of Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

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

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