Foraging behavior and bait station preference in scavenging termite,Odontotermes obesus(Blattodea: Termitidae)

Abstract

Termites are a significant pest of buildings, agriculture, and trees, and are mainly controlled by baiting. However, baiting systems are available for only lower termites (Rhinotermitidae) not for higher termites (Termitidae). Termite foraging behavior associated with baiting systems varies among species and families, and plays a significant role in baiting success. Here, foraging behavior of Odontotermes obesus (Blattodea: Termitidae: Macrotermitinae), a fungus-growing higher termite, was investigated relative to three bait-station sizes (small, medium, and large) containing different quantities of food. Significantly more workers recruited to large stations (470/station) compared to medium (246/station) and small (124/station) stations. Abundance of O. obesus in large and medium stations significantly positively correlated with relative humidity whereas negative but non-significant correlations were observed with temperature in large and medium stations. Total and continuous contacts with the stations increased with time and were greater in large stations. Station abandonment due to disturbance was significantly less in large stations (3%) followed by medium (9%) and small stations (20%). Our results suggest that large stations (≈8 litres volume) work best for population management of O. obesus and other related fungus-growing higher termites.

Prostaglandin A3 regulates the colony development of Odontotermes formosanus by reducing worker proportion

“…However, due to the feeding characteristics of termites, any plant containing lignocellulose can be their food [ 6 ]. Compared to lower termites, fungus-growing higher termites are larger in size, larger in population density, longer in feeding radius, more dominant in the ecosystem, and are more destructive to some extent [ 7 ]. Various species of fungus-growing termites are considered pests in Asia and Africa, causing extensive destruction to forest trees, crops, and wooden structures [ 2 , 7 ].…”

“…Compared to lower termites, fungus-growing higher termites are larger in size, larger in population density, longer in feeding radius, more dominant in the ecosystem, and are more destructive to some extent [ 7 ]. Various species of fungus-growing termites are considered pests in Asia and Africa, causing extensive destruction to forest trees, crops, and wooden structures [ 2 , 7 ]. They cause damage directly through gnawing on roots and stems and indirectly by transmitting pathogenic microorganisms [ 2 , 8 ].…”

“…Various methods are employed for termite control, including physical barriers, chemical termiticides, and baits [ 11 , 12 ]. Each method has its own advantages in different situations [ 7 ]. Physical barriers are well-used to protect small buildings, although they are expensive [ 13 ].…”

“…Since sugar-based arsenic baits were first proposed, various commercial baits have appeared in the last dozen years [ 11 , 19 , 20 ]. Most existing baits are designed against lower termites, mainly species in Reticulitermes and Coptotermes [ 7 ]. Chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs), such as hexaflumuron, noviflumuron, chlorfluazuron, and diflubenzuron, are slow-acting, dose-independent, and low-repellent and are widely recognized as good toxicants against Rhinotermitidae [ 8 , 19 ].…”

“…Chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs), such as hexaflumuron, noviflumuron, chlorfluazuron, and diflubenzuron, are slow-acting, dose-independent, and low-repellent and are widely recognized as good toxicants against Rhinotermitidae [ 8 , 19 ]. However, these baits that achieve colony elimination by inhibiting molting are ineffective against fungus-growing higher termites, which do not need frequent molting [ 7 ]. Effective baits for higher termites are still lacking.…”