Feeding preferences ofOdontotermes obesus(Rambur) (Isoptera: Termitidae) on different commercial and non-commercial woods from Lahore, Pakistan, under laboratory and field conditions

Abstract

Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) is a widespread termite species in South Asia causing significant losses annually. Feeding preferences of O. obesus among 18 different wood species were studied in choice and no-choice bioassays conducted under laboratory and field conditions. Weight losses, wood consumption per individual, and survival rate were determined to evaluate feeding preferences of O. obesus. Populus euramericana and Tectona grandis were found to be the most susceptible and resistant woods, respectively. Nine different wood combinations were used in the bioassay under choice laboratory conditions. The maximum feeding of termites was recorded on M. indica and P. euramericana, whereas the minimum was noted on T. grandis and B. bamboo (2.06 and 43.9 mg), respectively. Under no-choice field conditions, the minimum feeding was recorded on T. grandis (8.9 mg) and the maximum on P. euramericana (47.9 mg). Under choice field conditions, O. obesus showed the maximum (82.6 mg) feeding on P. euramericana and th...