Effect of Organic and Inorganic Landscape Mulches on Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Foraging Activity

Termites have a large influence on ecosystem functioning. Understanding what drives termite activity patterns improves understanding of nutrient cycling, productivity, and heterogeneity in savannas. We present a mechanistic framework that relates the interactive effects of rainfall, grassland structure, large herbivore presence, and soil factors to termite activity. To test this framework, we used grass litterbags to monitor termite activity at ten sites across Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa. We assessed the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on termite activity at two scales: the large (landscape) scale, variation in bait removal among 300 m 2 plots that were distributed across the park and at the small (within-plot) scale (1-300 m 2 ). Half of our sites were located inside large herbivore exclosures to test for the effect of mammalian herbivore presence. At the landscape scale, termite grass removal declined towards higher rainfall and in the presence of mammalian herbivores. Removal did not depend on soil factors. At the small scale, removal declined with increasing grass height, particularly in the 1 m surrounding the bait bag. Resource quality did not affect bait removal. We suggest that competition for forage drives the negative effect of mammalian herbivores on termites, whereas lower bait removal in taller swards may be due to direct negative effects from rainfall, fire and/or competition with free-living microbes. Ultimately, we suggest that the impact of termites on nutrient cycling is most pronounced when abiotic (rainfall) and biotic conditions (mammalian herbivory) limit grass removal by fire and decomposition by free-living microbes.

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“…, Smith & Rust , Long et al . ). Tall, dense, vegetation may create such a microclimate near the soil surface.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…, Long et al . , DeSouza et al . ), we did not find any preference for food resource quality in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mammalian herbivores, grass height and rainfall drive termite activity at different spatial scales in an African savanna

et al. 2016

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“…Mulches are materials spread over the soil surface to provide insulation during extreme temperatures to inhibit weed growth, protect soil from erosion and improve soil hydraulic properties (Munir, 1996; Ghisalberti, 2000; Bhushan & Sharma, 2005). Organic mulches such as leaves, wood chips, pine bark and pine needles are the most widely used mulch to top soils previously treated with termiticides in landscaping and around homes, and as a result, providing a bridge for termites to cross over the treated soil and to infest residential homes (Long et al , 2001). Such organic mulches are also at risk for attack by termites because they are mainly composited of cellulose and create a hospitable environment by conserving moisture.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of differential antitermitic activities of Lantana camara oven-dried tissues against Reticulitermes virginicus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Yuan

2011

Insect Science

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Chemical‐treated soil or physical barriers have been the most commonly used approach for termite management. We hypothesized that a barrier of soil incorporated with oven‐dried Lantana camara L. tissues could prevent termite infestation. We first examined the antitermitic effects of the dried tissues from two cultivars (‘Mozelle’ and ‘New Gold’) on the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Results show that all of the tissues of Mozelle had greater antitermic activity than corresponding tissues of New Gold, and leaves had greater termiticidal effects than flowers and stems. When termites were exposed to the test materials in a no‐choice bioassay, the 24‐day test resulted in a significant reduction of survival (52.5%–88.6%), running speed (18.2%–37.3%), live weight (21.8%–53.5%) and body water content (33.2%–56.2%) compared to the control. The consumption of leaves and flowers was exiguous. When used as 25% tissue mulch‐barrier, the oven‐dried lantana tissues decreased termite tunneling and wood consumption and increased termite mortality. The decreased survival, vigor, and low consumption indicate a toxic and anti‐feeding property of the materials tested. The results therefore support our hypothesis that the dried lantana tissues possess antitermitic activities.

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“…Highly vegetated sites may also have more favorable moisture conditions (Jones et al 1987). In R. virginicus, gravel mulch caused higher feeding rates in monitors than those of bare ground (Long et al 2001). It is likely that the combinations of environmental factors, such as temperature, moisture, and food sources available, inßuence subterranean termite foraging locations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…logs exhibited the highest positive relationship with the attack by termites among natural foods in Chihuahuan desert ecosystems (Johnson and Whitford 1975). Long et al (2001) found that gravel mulch caused higher feeding rates by Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) than bare ground in underground monitors, but did not show a signiÞcant effect on the number of monitor attacks (hits). By using wooden stakes and the commercial Sentricon (DowAgroSciences, Indianapolis, IN) stations, Potter et al (2001) reported that effects of landscape parameters and directional aspects between wooden stake and Sentricon station attack by Reticulitermes spp.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Effects of Temperature, Directional Aspects, Light Conditions, and Termite Species on Subterranean Termite Activity (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Fei

Henderson

2004

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Effect of Organic and Inorganic Landscape Mulches on Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Foraging Activity

Cited by 34 publications

References 15 publications

Mammalian herbivores, grass height and rainfall drive termite activity at different spatial scales in an African savanna

Mammalian herbivores, grass height and rainfall drive termite activity at different spatial scales in an African savanna

Evaluation of differential antitermitic activities of Lantana camara oven-dried tissues against Reticulitermes virginicus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Effects of Temperature, Directional Aspects, Light Conditions, and Termite Species on Subterranean Termite Activity (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

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