To enumerate foraging territories of termite populations, mark-release-recapture (MRR) appears a more satisfactory method than destructive sampling. Marking of termites has been pioneered by the use of ingested dyes and, accordingly,six candiate dyes were evaluated at several concentrations in Reticulitermes grassei (Clément) workers. Only two of the dyes, neutral red and nile blue A provided conspicuous visibility in the field. Fading of the mark over time was also evaluated, under laboratory conditions. Neutral red at 1% (w/w) was considered the best marker. For multiple MRR the choice of a second or third marker is not so obvious and needs further evaluation.

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