Coptotermes formosanusandCoptotermes gestroi(Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Exhibit Quantitatively Different Tunneling Patterns

Abstract

Tunneling behavior and the spatial dispersion of tunnels constructed by the subterranean termites Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (formerly known as C. vastator Light) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) were examined in foraging arenas. The results indicated that these two termite species construct quantitatively different tunnel systems, supporting visual observations made in earlier studies. Coptotermes gestroi constructed thin, highly branched tunnels, while C. formosanus tended to construct wider and less branched tunnels. Tunnels of C. gestroi showed more spatial dispersion than those of C. formosanus, and this species constructed a larger number of tunnels compared to C. formosanus. The presence or absence of food (wood) within the arena did not influence the tunneling pattern of either species. Although previous observations have suggested that these two termite species exhibit different tunneling behaviors; this is the first quantification of the differences. Comparative studies of the foraging behavior of subterranean termite species contribute to our understanding of their distribution and ecology and may help to improve pest management programs, particularly those based on placement of toxic baits. Moreover, differences in tunneling patterns may reflect different foraging strategies optimized for either tropical (C. gestroi) or subtropical/temperate (C. formosanus) environments.

Assessment of Genetic Markers for the Determination ofCoptotermes formosanus×Coptotermes gestroi(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) F1 Hybrids

“…The initial qualitative visual observations of the differences between C. gestroi and C. formosanus tunneling patterns were confirmed as quantitatively different tunneling systems by Hapukotuwa and Grace (2012b). Coptotermes gestroi constructed thin, highly branched tunnels, while C. formosanus…”

Dynamics of Foraging and Recruitment Behavior in the Asian Subterranean TermiteCoptotermes gestroi(Rhinotermitidae)

“…According to Clèment et al [28] and Reinhard et al [29], wood volatiles can induce trailfollowing behavior in subterranean termites. However, in the subterranean termites, the presence of food does not seem to elicit the building of underground tunnels, instead, workers of C. gestroi build tunnels randomly in their foraging territories [30,31]. Probably, chemical signals found in the food or other factors, such as chewing behavior [32] or the presence of a full gut in the returning termites could induce workers of C. gestroi to increase their travel speed, therefore, maximizing the foraging performance when food is discovered.…”

Identification of a worker arrestant aggregation pheromone in the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus

“…To assess if compounds from the hexane and 50% DEE fractions, speci cally CHCs (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) and cholesterol (18), could enhance the aggregation pheromone activity, we exposed workers to Mix A and to Mix A supplemented with CHCs (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) and/or cholesterol (18). Then the AI values were compared at intervals of 5, 60, 120, and 240 min.…”

“…The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, stands out as a signi cant wood pest due to its vast distribution (Rust and Su, 2012;Bradshaw et al, 2016). Hence, prior research has delved into the mechanisms of lignocellulose digestion (Ke et al, 2011;Li et al, 2012;Tarmadi et al, 2018), feeding preferences (Chen and Henderson, 1996;Cornelius et al, 2009;Hapukotuwa and Kenneth, 2011), and foraging (Cornelius and Osbrink, 2011;Hapukotuwa and Grace, 2012) in this species. Worker-attracting elements have been of particular interest, with assumptions that a pheromone secreted by a worker could attract and hold other workers in place (Raina et al, 2005).…”