Effect of food resource and carton nest material on laboratory group survival of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)

Abstract

Ecological, behavioral, and toxicological studies with termites are frequently difficult to conduct under field conditions because their cryptic lifestyle. It is important to know the factors that can limit survival to ensure that laboratory studies will reflect the natural survival of these insects. Here, we tested the effect of a food resource and carton nest material on group survival of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) in the laboratory. In general, termites survived longer in treatments with a food resource (sugarcane baits) compared to groups with carton nest material and control. However, groups with food resources exhibited high mortality due to fungal infection. The result of this study may contribute to the establishment of bioassay protocols performed with N. corniger in the laboratory.