Termite Preferences for Foraging Sites

Ali, Ibrahim G.; Ahmed, Berhan M.; Sheridan, Gary; French, J. R. J.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-72110-1_9

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…They play a crucial role in ecosystems by modifying the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil [3,4]. They can recycle living, dead, and decaying plant matter through decomposition activities [5], as well as restore nutrients in soils and create fertile areas on land that is arid or otherwise poor quality [6]. Termites can also bio-convert waste paper to generate valuable biogenic products that enhance soil properties [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hazard Mapping of Subterranean Termite Attacks in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Arif

Putri

Muin

2019

Insects

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Termites are distributed throughout the world and often cause economic losses. This study aims to; (1) analyze the relationship between the distribution of termite species and the environmental conditions of Makassar city; (2) determine the level of attack in the Makassar City; and (3) map the risk of termite attack in the Makassar City. Samples of Pinus merkusii (2 × 2 × 20 cm) were placed at 13 observation stations and covered using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes (4″ in diameter, 25-cm in length). Samples remained in place for 6 months, at which point the presence of termite attacks as well as their intensity and frequency were analyzed. Three species of termites were found among the 13 stations: Schedorhinotermes sp., Coptotermes gestroi, and Microcerotermes serrula. Their presence was significantly influenced by environmental factors at each station. The study results showed a low rate of attack in several subdistricts of Bontoala, Biring Kanaya, Makassar, Mamajang, Mariso, Manggala, Panakukang, Rappocini, Tallo, Tamalanrea, Tamalate, Ujung Pandang, Ujung Tanah, and Wajo districts. A medium level of attacks was found in subdistricts within Biring Kanaya, Manggala, Mamajang, Panakukang, Rappocini, and Tallo Districts. Finally, a high risk of termite attacks was present in several subdistricts of Biringkanaya, Tamalantera, Rappocini, Manggala, and Tamalate districts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hazard Mapping of Subterranean Termite Attacks in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Arif

Putri

Muin

2019

Insects

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“…Termite mounds are often conspicuous features of tropical landscapes and, for this reason, their specific properties and abundance have been extensively studied (e.g., Moe et al, 2009;Horiuchi et al, 2014;Joseph et al, 2014;Sujada et al, 2014;Jouquet et al, 2017;Shanbhag et al, 2017;Muvengwi et al, 2018). Comparatively, the specific properties and abundance of soil sheetings have received much less attention, although it has been suggested that they represent several tons of soil ha -1 year -1 in some situations (Rouland et al, 2003;Ali et al, 2013;Harit et al, 2017a). Termites also influence soil functioning through the formation of foraging galleries which increase soil porosity (e.g., Lee & Wood, 1971;Bottinelli et al, 2015) and consequently water infiltration (Elkins et al, 1986;Mando et al, 1996Mando et al, , 1999Léonard & Rajot, 2001;Mettrop et al, 2013) and water storage (Lobry & Conacher, 1990;Ouédraogo et al, 2006;Pringle et al, 2010).…”

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Litter Quality Affects Termite Sheeting Production and Water Infiltration in the Soil

Shanbhag¹,

Harit²,

Cheik³

et al. 2019

Sociobiology

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This study aimed to understand the relationship between termite food preferences and the ecological benefits derived from their activity in terms of soil dynamics and water infiltration. A field study was carried out for six months with different food baits (elephant dung, Acacia leaves, twigs and leaves of Lantana camara as well as Ficus religiosa, Pterocarpus marsupium, Prosopis juliflora, Michelia champaca, Azadirachta indica and Hevea brasiliensis wood stakes) installed on the soil surface in a semi-deciduous forest in southern India. At the end of the experiment we determined bait consumption rates and the amount of soil sheetings covering the different baits. Water infiltration rates were also measured using the Beerkan method. The initial infiltration rates (i.e. average of the first three infiltration rates) under the baits were compared to those at the end of the experiment (average of the last three infiltration rates when the steady state was reached). Three termite species, Odontotermes obesus, O. feae and Microtermes obesi, were found associated with some of the baits in the study area. Among the different baits, elephant dung and Acacia leaves were the most preferred and a relationship was observed between the quantity of soil sheetings and the bait consumption rate. Termite preference for elephant dung and Acacia leaves was also associated with higher water infiltration rates. However, this difference was only significant at the beginning of the experiment and no significant difference was measured once the steady state was reached. In conclusion, we showed that resource quality was of primary importance for soil sheeting production but that the influence of termites on water infiltration remained limited, most likely because of the low stability of their tunnels in the soil.

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Termite Preferences for Foraging Sites

Cited by 2 publications

References 61 publications

Hazard Mapping of Subterranean Termite Attacks in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Hazard Mapping of Subterranean Termite Attacks in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Litter Quality Affects Termite Sheeting Production and Water Infiltration in the Soil

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