AVALIAÇÃO DE ESTACAS DE Pinus sp. COMO ISCA-ARMADILHA EM DIVERSOS PERÍODOS DE EXPOSIÇÃO A CUPINS SUBTERRÂNEOS

Abstract

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar estacas de Pinus sp. como isca-armadilha em vários períodos de exposição a cupins subterrâneos em áreas com diferentes composições florísticas no Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ). As iscas-armadilha (previamente embebidas em água destilada por 0, 24 e 48 horas) foram enterradas ao mesmo tempo em três áreas do JBRJ, para retiradas mensais em grupos com exposição de 1 a 12 meses a Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) e Heterotermes longiceps (Snyder) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Houve diferença estatística sobre o tempo de exposição às iscas-armadilha e não houve diferença para um período de imersão em água. Concluiu-se que as iscas-armadilha são naturalmente atraentes para os cupins subterrâneos, e não necessitam de prévia imersão em água destilada para aumentar sua maciez. O tempo de permanência da isca-armadilha no solo não deve exceder a 3 meses para Coptotermes gestroi, em condições de alta luminosidade solar e escassa disponibilidade de matéria orgânica no solo, enquanto que para Heterotermes longiceps, o tempo de exposição pode ser de até 12 meses, em condições de baixa luminosidade e maior disponibilidade de matéria orgânica, fato a ser considerado em programas de controle de cupins. Palavras-chave: Comportamento de cupins; Isoptera; Coptotermes gestroi; Heterotermes longiceps. Abstract Evaluation of Pinus sp. stakes as bait-trap with several periods of exposure to subterranean termites. This study aimed to evaluate stakes of Pinus sp. as bait-trap for several periods of exposure to subterranean termites in areas of different floristic compositions in the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ). Bait-traps were previously immersed in distilled water for 0, 24 or 48 hours. They were buried in three areas of JBRJ for monthly withdrawals in groups with exposure of 1 to 12 months on the species of subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) and Heterotermes longiceps (Snyder). We observed statistical difference on exposure time of the bait-trap,but no difference for the period of immersion in water. We concluded that the bait-trap are naturally attractive to subterranean termites and do not require immersion in distilled water previously in order to increasing their softness. The exposure time of the bait-trap in soil should not exceed 3 months to C. gestroi, under conditions of prolonged effect of sunlight and scarce availability of organic matter, while for H. longiceps the exposure time can be extended to 12 months under conditions of low incidence of sunlight and high availability of organic matter, facts that must be considered on termites control programs.Keywords: Termite's behavior; Isoptera; Coptotermes gestroi; Heterotermes longiceps.

Influence of Food Resource Size on the Foraging Behavior of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky)

“…In addition, Fontes and Millano (2002) cite that, similar to subterranean termites, N. corniger can infest buildings through the soil. Thus, this bait could aid in surveys of this species under field conditions, as occurs for some subterranean species, such as Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Santos et al, 2010), and could also be used in monitoring stations in a toxic bait system to detect this termite in urban centers. Based on the results of the laboratory tests, 10 cm pieces would be the most adequate size for this because they attracted the greatest mass recruitment.…”

“…Based on the results of the laboratory tests, 10 cm pieces would be the most adequate size for this because they attracted the greatest mass recruitment. However, more studies are needed to support these hypotheses, since in addition to foraging behavior inherent to the species, other factors might interfere with termite foraging, such as edaphoclimatic conditions, presence of other food sources and predators, soil structure and humidity, and level of soil disturbance (Hu & Appel, 2004;Souza et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2010;Dow AgroSciences, 2013).…”

Use of Baits for the Evaluation of Underground Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Different Habitats of the Southern Amazon Region

“…The authors stated that the management practices used in a production system may influence macrofauna directly via the mechanical action of plowing and weeding, along with the toxicity of agrochemicals, and indirectly through modifications in the structure of habitat and food resources. This was verified by Santos et al (2010), who studied the foraging of H. tenuis through monitoring with Termitrap® baits in sugar cane plantations in the city of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. They reported a reduction in termite populations after land preparation in sugar cane plantations.…”

“…Polatto and Alves-Junior (2009) reported that there is a positive relation between termites of the genus Nasutitermes and the density of trees. Santos et al (2010) found that H. tenuis was responsible for the damage of eucalyptus plants and sugar cane in Brazil, principally in the central-west and southeast regions of the country. In a study carried out in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil, using the same methodology for monitoring termites in 3 areas (1, 10, and 17 yr without fire), the species H. tenuis was most abundant, consisting of 53.31% of the total specimens collected (Peres Filho et al 2012).…”

“…In a study carried out in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil, using the same methodology for monitoring termites in 3 areas (1, 10, and 17 yr without fire), the species H. tenuis was most abundant, consisting of 53.31% of the total specimens collected (Peres Filho et al 2012). Santos et al (2010) reported that 1 of the factors that may be related to environmental heterogeneity is the amount of litter available, because the greater the vegetation cover, the greater the amount of litter and, therefore, the greater the termite richness. This occurs because termites have sedentary habits and do not forage in the open, so environments rich in organic material support greater richness of these insects.…”