Nonrandom search geometry in subterranean termites

Systematic search for food in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes santonensis De Feytaud (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)

“…Soldiers seldom appear during the foraging process in the soil and are never seen in the open before food is found. Worker-initiated foraging is also reported for R. flavipes 154 Reinhard et al (Robson et al, 1995) as well as for some harvester termites e.g. Hodotermes mossambicus, Macrotermes bellicosus and M. subhyalinus (Hewitt et al, 1969;Heidecker and Leuthold, 1984;Leuthold, 1987, 1991a, b;Badertscher et al, 1983).…”

“…By covering each direction of the foraging territory regularly with exploratory trails, R. santonensis increases the likelihood to detect food. The nonrandom search geometry of R. flavipes represents a similar system: With a two-, three-or four-branch search pattern they divide the total search area equally as a function of the number of galleries thereby minimizing search redundancy (Robson et al, 1995).…”

“…Garnier-Sillam (1983), as well, presented a study on worker polyethism during foraging of R. santonensis. A nonrandom search with gallery patterns dividing the search area in equal parts was recently described for R. flavipes, but further studies of individual behaviour underlying this process and components that determine search efficiency are still required (Robson et al, 1995).…”

Reproductive dynamics and colony structure of subterranean termites of the genusReticulitermes(Isoptera Rhinotermitidae): a review of the evidence from behavioral, ecological, and genetic studies

“…Information on Reticulitermes colony organization and foraging behavior is limited due to the difficulties of studying the behavior of a social insect that appears to live in extremely large groups that move through their environment in amoeba-like fashion as they search for food, establish feeding sites, and reproduce (ESENTHER 1969, GRACE et al 1989, ROBSON et al 1995, REINHARD et al 1997. In this paper we synthesize current information on colony life histories, reproduction, and genetics to develop an understanding of Reticulitermes colony and population structure.…”

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

“…However, there are numerous variables to consider when termite baits are implemented and evaluated in urban areas (Henderson and Forschler 1996). Because of the termiteÕs cryptic habits and ßexible life history, Þeld and laboratory studies show variability in the foraging dynamics of subterranean termites such as foraging distance and searching behavior (Su et al 1984, Delaplane and La Fage 1989, Thorne and Forschler 2000, Robson et al 1995, Oi et al 1996. Monitoring stations provide a "window" into the foraging dynamics of termites in and around the structure and are often used before a bait application (Thorne and Forschler 2000).…”