Implications for comparability of laboratory experiments revealed in studies on the effects of population density on the vigour in groups of Coptotermes lacteus (Frogatt) and Nasutitermes exitiosus(Hill) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae)

IRG/WP 1194

M Lenz, R A Barrett, E R Williams

The vigour - survival. and wood consumption - of groups of Coptotermes lacteus and Nasutitermes exitiosus was measured when termites were kept at different population densities (g termites/mL) by changing group size and/or volume of the holding container. A characteristic pattern emerges for subterranean-like termite species. At low population densities (<0.01 g/mL) performance of termites improves with an increase in group size; at higher densities it tends to decline. The impact of altering group size and container volume on termite vigour is most pronounced at low population densities; at higher population densities, performance tends to be more stable but declines markedly when termites become overcrowded. In most jar-type experiments on termites, especially those conducted in Europe and the U.S.A., small groups of termites are housed in disproportionately large jars, resulting in very low, sub-optimal population densities. Suggestions are made for improvement in experimental design that would lead to an enhancement of the comparability of results from different laboratories.


Keywords: COPTOTERMES LACTEUS; NASUTITERMES EXITIOSUS; POPULATION DENSITY; WOOD CONSUMPTION; TESTING; DENSITY; SURVIVAL; TERMITE VIGOUR; TERMITES

Conference: 83-05-09/13 Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia


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