Abstract
Aspects of the biology and ecology of the black-winged termite,Odontotermes formosanusShiraki, were examined in a grove of camphor trees,Cinnamomum camphora(L.), located at the Fruit and Tea Institute, Wuhan, China. Of the 90 trees examined, 91.1% had evidence of termite activity in the form of exposed mud tubes on the bark. There was no relationship between tree diameter and mud tube length. Mud tubes faced all cardinal directions; most (60%) trees had multiple tubes at all directions. However, if a tree only had one tube, 22.2% of those tubes faced the south. The majority (>99%) of mud tubes were found on the trunk of the tree. Approximately 35% of all mud tubes had termite activity. Spatial distribution of termite activity was estimated using camphor and fir stakes installed throughout the grove. Camphor stakes were preferred. Kriging revealed a clumped distribution of termite activity.
Highlights
The black-winged termite, Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki, is distributed throughout Southeast Asia including Burma, China, India, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam where it is an economically important pest of crops, forests, and various wooden structures [1]
Damage to camphor trees appears as areas of removed bark that may extend from the soil line and roots to the tree crown
The objectives of this study were to examine the distribution of black-winged termites in camphor groves and on camphor trees, determine if there is a relationship between tree size and the length of termite tubes, measure feeding preferences, and observe various aspects of termite tubing behavior
Summary
The black-winged termite, Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki, is distributed throughout Southeast Asia including Burma, China, India, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam where it is an economically important pest of crops, forests, and various wooden structures [1]. This species consumes wood and other cellulosic material, it does not directly use these for food. Damage to camphor trees appears as areas of removed bark that may extend from the soil line and roots to the tree crown These termites move up the tree by building mud tubes along the trunk and removing the bark beneath. The mud tubes are thought to provide protection from predators such as ants and from the environment by allowing the creation of a dark and humid microclimate
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