Nest Growth and Survivorship in Three Species of NeotropicalNasutitermes(Isoptera: Termitidae)

Abstract

Long-term growth and survivorship of individual arboreal nests were studied in three species of Neotropical termites in the genus Nasutitermes. Of the 29 N. corniger (Motschulsky) and seven N. ephratae (Holmgren) nests monitored in an area of young second-growth in Panama, 12 (41%) N. corniger and four (57%) N. ephratae nests remained active throughout the 9-to 11-mo study. There was no signiÞcant difference in survivorship between small and large nests of either species. In surviving N. corniger nests with a single queen, the net increase in volume was highly correlated (r ϭ 0.87, n ϭ 9) with queen wet weight. There was a marked seasonality to nest expansion in both N. corniger and N. ephratae, with growth occurring almost exclusively during the wet season. Seventeen N. acajutlae (Holmgren) nests were monitored for 4 Ð9 yr on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands. Four of the 17 (23.5%) N. acajutlae nests survived the study period, and two more abandoned their original nest and relocated. Within this limited sample of colonies, N. acajutlae nests that were large (Ͼ150,000 cm 3 ) at the beginning of the study had a higher probability of survival than did small (Ͻ100,000 cm 3 ) nests. Nest budding, relocation, and resprouting are mechanisms that Nasutitermes may use to create a new nest for all or a portion of an established colony. The ontogeny of incipient Nasutitermes colonies is discussed as a sequence in which a young colony remains cryptic within wood, building its population size to a point where the colony can maintain and defend a nest. Early in a wet season, termites then venture from within wood to build and occupy a small arboreal nest.

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

“…Thus, to conduct experiments with sugarcane baits we suggest that sugarcane must be replace every two days to avoid proliferation of fungi or even used some antifungal. Even though the nests of N. corniger are constructed from stercoral carton, and other local materials cemented with saliva, thus, incorporating antimicrobial substances, and provide a significant benefit to termites (Noirot 1970;Thorne & Haverty 2000;Bulmer et al 2009). Our results indicate that the presence of carton nest material did not increase the termite survival compared to the control.…”

“…Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) is an urban and agricultural pest, which is widely distributed in the Neotropical region (Boulogne et al 2017;Scheffrahn et al 2005). The nests of this species are constructed from carton, masticated wood or feces, and other local materials cemented with salivary secretions (Noirot 1970;Thorne & Haverty 2000). The individuals of N. corniger feed on a wide variety of wood, and also with a capability to adapt to a variety of habitats and resources sources (Boulogne et al 2017).…”

Termites as human foods—A comprehensive review

“…They are herbivores that eat mostly wood. As a result, relatively high levels of phytocompounds from the plants the insects devoured may remain in circulation (Noirot & Darlington, 2000;Thorne & Haverty, 2000). A study from Afolayan et al (2019) examined the in vitro anti-Salmonella activity of several extracts from M. bellicosus against Salmonella strains.…”

“…They are herbivores that eat mostly wood. As a result, relatively high levels of phytocompounds from the plants the insects devoured may remain in circulation (Noirot & Darlington, 2000; Thorne & Haverty, 2000). A study from Afolayan et al.…”