Effects of nutrients on feeding activities of the pest termite Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

Heterotermes tenuis is a native termite of large negative impact on the Brazilian economy. Many studies have focused on optimizing the baiting method for termite control by improving its use and its efficacy. In order to maximize termite bait consumption, this study aimed to select nutrient solutions which are able to enhance termite feeding. The effects of some sugars and urea on feeding preference of the subterranean termite H. tenuis were determined by double choice feeding tests, and the consumption was evaluated by variation in dry mass of filter paper after 28 days of termite feeding. Most of the solutions tested did not significantly influence feeding of H. tenuis. Termites fed preferentially on filter paper treated with 0.03 g/ml trehalose and 0.015 g/ml urea solutions. The data indicate that trehalose and urea solutions are phagostimulants to H. tenuis, and their future use in bait matrices may increase consumption of baits and improve this control technique.

Termite Communities in Sugarcane Plantations in Southeastern Brazil: an Ecological Approach

“…The genus Heterotermes occurs from southern Mexico, including the Bahamas and West Indies, to northern Argentina, but H. tenuis has a wide distribution throughout South America (constantino 1998, 2001). It feeds on living or dead plant material, having been considered pest in several crops, mainly sugarcane and timber (haiFiG et al 2008). A previous study in São Paulo (aLmeida & aLves 1999) considered H. tenuis as the main pest in sugarcane plantations due to its wide distribution and high abundance.…”

Nutrients affecting food choice by the pest subterranean termiteCoptotermes gestroi(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

“…The chemicals and concentrations tested were the same used for H. tenuis (Haifig et al 2008). The chemicals were as follows: sucrose a (Commercial refined sugar Unia˜o 1 , COPERSUCAR, Sa˜o Paulo, SP, Brazil), instant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae -Fermix 1 , Sa˜o Paulo, SP, Brazil), xylose (Vetec, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil), galactose, trehalose, raffinose, arbutin (all from Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, MO), sucrose b , fructose, glucose and urea (all from Labsynth, Diadema, SP, Brazil).…”

“…juvenile hormone analogues) (Su and Scheffrahn 1998;Hrdyé t al. 2001;Kubota et al 2006;Casarin et al 2009), and phagostimulants that may influence termite feeding preferences (Reinhard and Kaib 2001;Casarin et al 2003;Waller and Curtis 2003;Swoboda et al 2004;Saran and Rust 2005;Haifig et al 2008;Cornelius et al 2009). The feeding stimulants are used to enhance the uptake and thus the transfer of biocides to the termites during trophallaxis.…”

“…As both termite species often co-occur, it would be useful to develop a bait that would be effective for both species. To evaluate whether C. gestroi has similar feeding preferences to H. tenuis for some nutrients, we analysed the influence of compounds previously reported to be preferred by H. tenuis (Haifig et al 2008) on the food consumption of C. gestroi.…”

Termite Foraging on Plants of a Brazilian Savanna: the Effects of Tree Height

“…The genus Heterotermes comprises several termite species that have a status as pests, such as H. tenuis (Pizano & Fontes 1986;Haifig et al, 2008), H. longiceps (Pizano & Fontes, 1986, Calderon & Constantino, 2007 and H. sulcatus (Vasconcellos et al, 2002). This later species has been considered one of the most important xylophagous species in Caatinga vegetation, where it feeds preferentially on dead wood (Mélo & Bandeira, 2007).…”