Influence of Soil Compaction on Tunnel Network Construction by the Eastern Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

Reliance on use of the Petri dish for bioassay studies has resulted in the majority of subterranean termite research being conducted in a manner that has not taken into account one of the most important feature of subterranean termites ecology: the soil in which they live. This artificial environment for bioassays, favored for its ease of use, may have resulted in accumulation of data about termite physiology, toxicology, pathology and behavior with limited biological relevancy. Caution should be taken when drawing conclusion from such experiments, because recent studies that made use of planar arenas (or 'two-dimensional arenas'), which provided soil-foraging conditions for termites and visibility for observation, have produced findings that are either contradictory to or more complete than corresponding Petri dish studies. The result of this study showed that groups of termites kept in planar arenas had better vigor and survivorship after 60 d than groups kept in Petri dishes. We also describe a list of technical advantages that the use of planar arenas can provide over the use of Petri dishes, and suggest that entomologists planning future laboratory studies on subterranean termites should consider using a similar protocol that involves planar arenas.

Effects of non‐repellent termiticides on the tunneling and walking ability of the eastern subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

“…The experimental design did not allow an unfettered view of the specific role of the various mouthparts in the excavation process, but the activities observed generally matched previous descriptions 17, 28–32. Termites excavated soil particles instead of squeezing between pores.…”

“…Effects of non‐repellent compounds on the foraging range and activity of subterranean termites were studied under both laboratory and field conditions 15, 16. The influence of soil compaction,17 moisture gradients18 and the presence of sound or decayed wood on tunneling behavior and ability of termites has also been examined 19. There is still little information, however, on the effects of fipronil and indoxacarb on the tunneling behavior and walking ability of termites.…”

Soil Physical Quality and Relationship to Changes in Termite Community in Northwestern Colombian Amazon

“…These activities are difficult by increased soil compaction. Tucker et al (2004) found that construction speed of tunnel network varied with soil compaction, being much slower in the more compacted soil (1.35 g/cm 3 ). Although this study was conducted under laboratory conditions using a different substrate and moisture content, and it cannot be directly compared with the present study, however, clearly the same relationship was observed.…”

Termite Diversity and its Extent of Crop Damage in Vayalogam Soil Series of Tamil Nadu, India

“…Termites economically important pests when they started to destroy the wood and wooden products of human homes, building materials, forests, agricultural crops and other commercial products [2]. The red loamy soil influences construction of termatorium and fungal comb construction by termites [3]. The Vayalogam soil series of Pudukottai district is a red sandy loam soil covering 1.69 lakh hectares.…”