Preference of the Formosan subterranean termite for wood previously damaged by conspecifics

IRG/WP 1338

J P La Fage, K S Delaplane

In a laboratory choice test, groups of termites from five colonies of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki were presented with wood blocks which had sustained previous termite damage: 1) by nestmates, 2) by conspecifics from another colony, 3) by another termite species, Reticulitermes virginicus Banks, and 4) no damage. Coptotermes formosanus preferred wood previously damaged by conspecifics over that damaged by Reticulitermes virginicus. Woodfeeding rate was slightly, though not significantly, higher for conspecific treatments than for controls.


Keywords: COPTOTERMES FORMOSANUS; RETICULITERMES VIRGINICUS; TERMITES; PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED WOOD; HEAD CAPSULE SIZE; TOXIC BAIT BLOCKS; CONSPECIFICS

Conference: 88-04-24/29 Madrid, Spain


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