Differential Use of Identical Food Resources by <I>Reticulitermes flavipes</I> (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Two Types of Habitats

Abstract

A year-long field experiment showed that Reticulitermes flavipes attacked and used single stakes and wooden stake bundles differently in two habitats that varied in alternative forage. In both habitats, the number of termites present in single stakes and stake-bundles increased with stake resource size, and the number of larvae recorded from feeding sites was a close reflection of the number of workers attracted to a given food source. Over 12 mo, more single stakes and stake bundles were heavily attacked and abandoned in the pine woods compared with grassy clearings. Paradoxically, the number of termites present in single stakes and stake bundles was greater in the food-poor habitat (grassy clearings), yet the wood was less consumed compared with the food-rich habitat (pine woods). Use of stake bundles as nests and the slower rate of wood consumption in grassy clearings indicated that termites seemed to value food resources in relative terms, i.e., those termites with abundant alternative food resources consumed quickly and departed, whereas those lacking extra resources ate slowly and settled in. These field results confirm earlier laboratory results that showed that termites modified wood consumption rates dependent on the amount of food available to the colony as a whole. The appearance of mature (physogastric) reproductives (>> yr old) in stake bundles in both habitats further indicated that termites track resources and opportunistically shift colony activities and possibly territory boundaries depending on the nature of the resources and other environmental factors. Implications for managing termites with a baiting strategy are discussed.

Termite activity and decomposition are influenced by digging mammal reintroductions along an aridity gradient

“…A previous study suggests that termites alter their behaviour based on resource scarcity. For example, Reticulitermes flavipes consumed resources more slowly when resources were scarce (Lenz et al, 2009). Productivity might also affect ant predation: more productive environments might support larger densities of ants, such that the chance of discovery of termite prey would be higher.…”

Biology of Invasive Termites: A Worldwide Review

“…The probability of propagules forming may be higher in this species because of its placement of nymphs in food resources (73). Baiting has been used against R. flavipes in Santiago and was found to perform better than alternative treatments using area-wide management population suppression criteria (94) (Figure 4).…”

Optimization of termite in-ground monitoring stations: An evaluation trial

“…The level of activity of Reticulitermes termite workers on control baits may vary within termite species, and it is also influenced by the seasonality of their foraging behaviour (Vargo 2003). Other factors such as quantity and quality of the cellulosic matrix of the control bait are also influential, as a more valuable food resource will increase the level of attraction to the termites (Lenz et al 2009). For R. grassei there is no further information, but R. flavipes has already been targeted by baiting control systems (for example: Vargo 2003, Ripa et al 2007).…”