U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Morales Ramos, Juanitem
                                            Rojas, Maria

                                                         - *Guadalupe*
  Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2002
                                    Publication  Date: 2/20/2003
                                    Citation: Morales Ramos, J.A., Rojas, M.G. 2003. Nutritional ecology of the formosan subterranean termite (isoptera rhinotermitidae) growth and survival of incipient colonies feeding onpreferred wood species. Journal of Economic Entomology 96:106-116.Interpretive Summary: Since its introduction to the United States during the 1940's, the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, has been one of the most destructive termites in the continental U.S. It is estimated that the Formosan termite cause damage of several millions of dollars annually to houses, other buildings, utility poles, railway sleepers, boats and ships,  paper, and living trees. Baits are one of the most effective methods of control for subterranean termites. Baits are currently the only method proven to kill entire subterranean termite colonies. The development and improvement of termite baits depend on our knowledge of termite nutrition. The objectives of this research were to study the value of different wood species as food sources for colony growth and survival of the Formosan subterranean termite and its relationship to the feeding preferences shown by this insect. New colonies of the Formosan termite were started in the  laboratory by collecting and pairing alate stages from the field by using light traps. Each termite pairs were fed with one of 10 wood species or a nutritionally supplemented mix. The growth and survival of these incipient termite colonies was monitored and compared among the different food source treatments. Results showed that termite colonies fed on pecan, red gum, and aspen survived better and/or showed more growth than colonies feeding on other woods. These same wood species are highly preferred by the Formosan termite. This knowledge will increase our understanding of the mechanisms of termite foraging choices allowing for the improvement of current bait systems.
                                Technical Abstract: Wood species as food source significantly impacted growth and survival of incipient colonies of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Colonies of C. formosanus feeding on pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.)) and red gum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) produced significantly more progeny than colonies feeding on 9 other wood species  tested. Progeny of colonies feeding on pecan and American ash (Fraxinus americana L.) had significantly higher survival than progeny of colonies feeding on other 9 wood species. Colonies feeding on a nutritionally- supplemented cellulose based matrix showed similar fitness characteristics as colonies feeding on the best wood treatments. This indicates that differences observed on colony fitness (Cf) can be partially explained by nutritional value of the food treatment, raising the possibility that wood from different tree species posses different nutritional value to the  Formosan subterranean termite. Colonies feeding on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa Laws.) had significantly lower survival and produced significantly fewer workers and soldiers than colonies feeding on other wood species. Colony survival from 90 to 180 d of age and from 90 to 360 d of age was significantly correlated with the number of workers present at 90 d of colony age indicating that colony survival depends on the presence of workers. Wood consumption in a multiple-choice study was significantly correlated with the colony fitness value (Cf). This suggests that feeding preference of C. formosanus is at least partially influenced by the nutritional value of the food source.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov