Arboreal Termite Research Articles

The wide variation of amazonian stocked hardwoods affecting natural resistance to arboreal termites over time

The wide variation of amazonian stocked hardwoods affecting natural resistance to arboreal termites over time

Salivary gland substances of the arboreal termite Nasutitermes corniger induce worker aggregation and gnawing of food substrate

In social insects, collective behavior is regulated by substances secreted by various glands of different members of society. In this study, we investigate whether salivary glands of the arboreal termite Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera: Termitidae) contain substances that regulate the intensity of foraging behavior. Foraging arenas of N. corniger nests maintained under laboratory conditions received the addition of two filter paper substrates, one impregnated with salivary gland extract from third-instar small workers (SW3) (treatment) and the other impregnated with distilled water (control). A similar experiment was conducted using salivary gland extract from fourth-instar large workers (LW4). Occurrences of initial exploration, mass recruitment, and substrate gnawing behaviors, as well as numbers of recruited and gnawing workers, were recorded. There was a higher rate of mass recruitment to treated substrates than to the control (SW3: 80 vs. 25%; LW4: 90 vs. 25%). Gnawing behavior also occurred at higher rates on treated substrates (SW3: 95 vs. 35%; LW4: 100 vs. 45%). The number of workers recruited to and gnawing on treated substrate was significantly higher than the number of workers recruited to and gnawing on control substrate. The higher rates of worker recruitment, as well as the higher numbers of recruited and gnawing workers, show that salivary glands of last-instar workers contain substances with arresting and/or phagostimulating pheromonal actions or substances that release compounds with these properties.

A Comparative Study of Gut Enzymes and Nest Materials of Three Mound Building Termites of Eastern India

Termites are found to digest a wide variety of lignocellulosic biomass including wood with high lignin content by the aid of unique cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic microorganisms. A research gap is realized in works associated with termite gut enzyme activities in India. Therefore, the present work is focused on the comparison of termite gut enzyme activities among epigeous, subterranean, arboreal termites and the physicochemical properties of respective mound soils collected from Sambalpur University Campus, Odisha, India. The mound building termites (subterranean and epigeous) showed significantly more cellulase, xylanase and phosphatase enzyme activities than the arboreal termites. The enzyme activities showed efficient correlation with organic carbon, total nitrogen, available potassium and water holding capacity of respective mound materials. This particular study has provided new information regarding the contribution of three distinct termite species towards soil fertility status. Further, a high quantity of nutrients accumulated in subterranean termite mound soils along with high enzyme activities by subterranean species, O obesus in our study, can be considered a hotspot for microbial concentration, which can be exploited for biofuel production, and mound soil as soil amendment, bioremediation and bio-filtration purpose.

Toxicity of Agave sisalana extracts on Cordyceps and their effect and the association with fungi on Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Nasutitermes corniger is an arboreal termite that causes economic damage in urban areas, and its control is for chemical insecticides. An alternative for insect control is the use of entomopathogenic fungi and plant extracts, or the synergistic effect of the association of these. The toxicity of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of Agave sisalana on the biological aspects of the fungal Cordyceps farinosa, C. fumosorosea and C. javanica and the action of the extracts and their synergistic effect on N. corniger was examined. The effect of the extracts on fungi was evaluated by germination, sporulation and mycelial growth of fungi in Sabouraud medium through the study of biological aspects under laboratory conditions; and control of N. corniger were examined, by ingestion of extracts and of the association extract plus fungus on filter paper, being the percentage of mortality of soldiers and workers of the termite daily. In general, the extracts were inoffensive to the fungi at concentrations 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg.mL-1. The extracts demonstrated termiticidal actions at concentrations tested, causing the mortalities about 100% of the workers after the third and sixth days (LC50: 0.778 to 0.803 mg.mL-1) and 100% of the soldiers between the fourth and seventh days (LC50:0.146 to 0.956 mg.mL-1). The association of the extracts with C. farinosa ESALQ1355 was more efficient in inducing the mortality in N. corniger. These results demonstrated the efficiency in vitro of the sisal extracts in controlling N. corniger termites, alone or in combination with fungi, suggesting their potential joint usefulness in the biological control of insect pests.

Comparative study between two types of fertilizers: biological (Termite mound powders) and chemical (N15P15K15) on the growth and development of tomato in the nursery

To ensure the optimum yield of cultivated land, farmers often use chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides). However, these chemicals are not without adverse effects on the environment and on the health of humans and all other living beings. The fact remains that palliative solutions to chemical fertilizers exist in natural fertilizers, namely manure, slurry, compost, comfrey, chicken droppings, bat droppings (guano), powder termite mounds. For the latter, some studies have been conducted with sometimes contradictory results, and above all, they do not mention the type of termite mound used. Thus, in this work, the fertilizing effects of three types of termite mounds encountered in the savannahs and forests of Africa (epigeal termite mound, arboreal termite mound and hypogeal termite mound), were highlighted then their fertilizing powers to that of N15P15K15 on the growth and development of tomato in the nursery were compared. The results obtained showed that termite mound powders like N15P15K15 have a fertilizing power on tomato cultivation in the nursery. But N15P15K15 and tree termite mound powder seem to perform better. However, when we consider the action of the different termite mound powders between them, another gradient of fertility appears according to its origin. The fertilizing power is high for the arboreal termite mound, medium for the hypogeal termite mound and low for the epigeal termite mound.

Habitat selection by arboreal termites in forest islands of a Neotropical floodplain

1Since habitat characteristics can be essential for protection from predators and weather, the selection of the appropriate habitat can determine the success of colonization and therefore strongly influence the local ecosystem. Therefore, the habitat selection by termites can help to understand their role in forest ecosystems. 2These characteristics can influence the habitat choice, since they may provide more food availability, protection against rain, high temperatures, and predators. 3Here, I evaluated whether trunk inclination, bark thickness and roughness, and tree size influence habitat selection by arboreal termites in 16 forest islands (locally called capão) in a Neotropical floodplain. 4Inclination and tree size influenced the presence of termites on the trunks. However, I did not detect any influence of tree bark thickness and roughness on termite occurrence. The higher occurrence of termites on bigger and more leaning trees indicate that the availability of resources and the protection against weather elements and predators are the primary stimuli for the selection of these habitats.

Which is the best field method for assessing volume and surface area of arboreal termite nests?

Arboreal nests of eusocial insects are typically roughly egg- or pear shaped with superficial irregularities, which makes the correct determination of their volume or surface area in the field difficult. Here, we evaluated the accuracy (benefit) of different geometric proxies with varying number of underlying measurements (cost) when assessing the volume and surface area of arboreal termite nests of Microcerotermes indistinctus and Constrictotermes cyphergaster. We compared size measures based on the 3D models with the most common shape models in literature: spheres (1–3 parameters), ellipsoids (3 parameters), cylinders (3 parameters), and a combination of superimposed cylinders with spherical caps (at least 9 parameters). The most complex model returned the most accurate results (low estimation error and low error variability). However, estimation errors did not differ from simpler shape models, based on only three (ellipsoids, spheres using half of the arithmetic mean of height, width and depth as radius) or even a single parameter (spheres using half of depth as radius). Cylindric proxies and spheres based on nest height or width, on the other hand, returned far less accurate results with estimation errors of up to almost 300%. Although nests of M. indistinctus showed a higher variation in shape and more surface irregularities than those of C. cyphergaster, each geometric proxy tested in the present study determined the nest size of both termite species with equal precision. This suggests that each shape model may generate similarly accurate estimates of volume and surface area over a wider range of termite species that build egg-shaped arboreal nests.

A growth model driven by curvature reproduces geometric features of arboreal termite nests.

We present a simple three-dimensional model to describe the autonomous expansion of a substrate whose growth is driven by the local mean curvature of its surface. The model aims to reproduce the nest construction process in arboreal Nasutitermes termites, whose cooperation may similarly be mediated by the shape of the structure they are walking on, for example focusing the building activity of termites where local mean curvature is high. We adopt a phase-field model where the nest is described by one continuous scalar field and its growth is governed by a single nonlinear equation with one adjustable parameter d. When d is large enough the equation is linearly unstable and fairly reproduces a growth process in which the initial walls expand, branch and merge, while progressively invading all the available space, which is consistent with the intricate structures of real nests. Interestingly, the linear problem associated with our growth equation is analogous to the buckling of a thin elastic plate under symmetric in-plane compression, which is also known to produce rich patterns through nonlinear and secondary instabilities. We validated our model by collecting nests of two species of arboreal Nasutitermes from the field and imaging their structure with a micro-computed tomography scanner. We found a strong resemblance between real and simulated nests, characterized by the emergence of a characteristic length scale and by the abundance of saddle-shaped surfaces with zero-mean curvature, which validates the choice of the driving mechanism of our growth model.

Rapid Biodiversity Evaluation of the Arboreal Termites in Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria

A rapid biodiversity evaluation of arboreal termite was carried out on the campus of Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil. Three different trees which include Mangifera indica, Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis were selected from three different sites (campus new site, premises of administrative offices and commercial area) on the campus and examined for termite activity, either arboreal nests or mud tubes which indicated infestation by the termites. Using a soft brush termite samples were collected into a labeled sampling bottle containing 10% formalin solution by cutting open the mud tubes and the nests with a forceps on the trees. A total of one hundred and twelve (112) individuals termites were samples were collected during the study belonging to five species: Coptotermes sp., Microtermes sp., Odontotermes sp., Amitermes sp. and Nutitermes sp. The Coptotermes sp. are the most abundant species both on the trees and the sites. Khaya senegalensis has the greatest diversity of the termite fauna as compared to other trees while campus new site (site A) also has greatest diversity. Coptotermes sp are insects of agricultural economic importance and feed on dead wood; therefore, they are insect pests of these trees and other building structures on the campus.

Rapid Biodiversity Evaluation of the Arboreal Termites in Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria

A rapid biodiversity evaluation of arboreal termite was carried out on the campus of Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil. Three different trees which include Mangifera indica, Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis were selected from three different sites (campus new site, premises of administrative offices and commercial area) on the campus and examined for termite activity, either arboreal nests or mud tubes which indicated infestation by the termites. Using a soft brush termite samples were collected into a labeled sampling bottle containing 10% formalin solution by cutting open the mud tubes and the nests with a forceps on the trees. A total of one hundred and twelve (112) individuals termites were samples were collected during the study belonging to five species: Coptotermes sp., Microtermes sp., Odontotermes sp., Amitermes sp. and Nutitermes sp. The Coptotermes sp. are the most abundant species both on the trees and the sites. Khaya senegalensis has the greatest diversity of the termite fauna as compared to other trees while campus new site (site A) also has greatest diversity. Coptotermes sp are insects of agricultural economic importance and feed on dead wood; therefore, they are insect pests of these trees and other building structures on the campus.

A rapid survey of the arboreal termites in a university environment in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

BackgroundTermites inhabiting tree crops are pests which if neglected could result to agricultural loss. In a study to investigate the arboreal termites of planted trees in Rivers State University, 1050 trees were sampled between July and October 2017. The study area was categorised into 10 zones, and all trees were examined for the presence of nests and mud tubes. Samples of termites and tree cuttings were collected from infected trees for identification of termites and trees.ResultsApproximately 37.71% of the sampled trees had some termite infestation as arboreal nests or presence of mud tubes. The trees most affected were Mangifera indica, Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae), Polyalthia longifolia (Annonaceae), Pentaclethra macrophylla, Eucalyptus sp., Terminalia sp. and Persea americana (Lauraceae). The termites identified were Amitermes sp., Nasutitermes havilandi, Odontotermes sp., Microcerotermes sp., Glyptotermes sp. and Globitermes sp. The termites did not show preference for particular trees (p < 0.05). There was a significant association between the termite species and the nest type (p < 0.05); the observed difference between the species and nest sets arose by chance; in other words, they were not randomly distributed with respect to nest type. Termite-resistant crop trees were Psidium guajava and Cocos nucifera. With more than one in three infestation rates, there is the need for termite management.ConclusionThis basic knowledge of the termite species and distribution is vital for effective control measure as it indicates that there is need for control and management. Suggested management would require treatment of infested trees and control measures of all trees in the study area except P. guajava and C. nucifera.

Nesting Substrate Characteristics of Partamona seridoensis Pedro &amp; Camargo (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Areas of Dry Forest in Brazil

For the first time the association between Partamona seridoensis and Constrictotermes cyphergaster is described. Partamona seridoensis occurs in xeric areas of Northeastern Brazil, and it is a termitophile species as its nests are built in active and inactive arboreal termite nests of the species C. cyphergaster. This study aimed to verify the characteristics of the nesting substrate used by P. seridoensis in two areas of dry forest (caatinga) in Cariri region, Paraíba state. It has been found that the vertical distribution of termites that contained colonies of P. seridoensis varied from 10 cm to 3.60 m, while the height of the nest entrance varied from 20 cm to 3.70 m. Commiphora leptophloeos, popularly known as imburana, was the support tree of 22 (43.1%) from 51 observed termite nests that harbored bee colonies. Most (44; 86.2%) of the host termites colonies were active. Most of the colonies showed the nest entrances not directed to the east/southeast. All colonies located were housed in large termite nests, whose volumes exceed 30 liters. In the two areas surveyed, frequently the entrances of the nests were directed to other nearby colonies, suggesting a parental relationship that should be further investigated.

What drives patrolling behaviour by nasute termites? A model and an empirical assessment

AbstractAnimals have evolved a number of antipredator strategies, which can reflect both intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to predation risk. In many termite species, a chemically armed soldier caste known as “nasute” engages in patrols upon breaching of foraging galleries, suggesting an adaptive response to imminent risk of mortality. However, the drivers of this collective behaviour are poorly understood. Here, I describe and test a qualitative model of patrolling behaviour upon gallery breaching by the arboreal termite Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Patrolling behaviour is postulated to change throughout colony ontogeny, thus scaling with colony size. Further, this pattern is expected to be modulated by extrinsic cues for predation risk. Accordingly, patroller number increased with tree circumference at breast height, a surrogate for colony size. However, for any tree size, more soldiers engaged in patrols after repeated breaching, suggesting sensitization to structural damage. In parallel, patrolling rate (i.e., patroller number per time unit) was higher in smaller trees due to a disproportionate increase in patrol duration with patroller number. However, this response only occurred after repeated breaching; otherwise, patrolling rate was constant across tree sizes. Overall, patrolling behaviour by N. corniger seems to reflect intrinsic risks related to colony growth, adjusted by the extrinsic risk imposed by structural damage.

Parental care of Chestnut-capped Puffbird Bucco macrodactylus on the middle Jurua River, Amazonas, Brazil

Chestnut-capped Puffbird Bucco macrodactylus, like other members of the Bucconidae family, nest in arboreal termitaria. Here we described a nest of the species, found in the floodplain of the Jurua River in December 2014. It was built inside an arboreal termite mound, 2.45 m above the ground. We determined the type and frequency of prey consumed by chicks over six days: during this time adults brought food to the nest 147 times. Prey included both vertebrates and invertebrates, though the most frequent were insects of the Order Orthoptera. Fledging may have been directly stimulated by a predation attempt made by a marsupial.

New observations on a neotropical termite-hunting theridiid spider: opportunistic nest raiding, prey storage, and ceratopogonid kleptoparasites

Abstract A neotropical spider in the genus Janula Strand 1932 is reported as an opportunistic raider in damaged carton nests of the arboreal termite Nasutitermes ephratae. These spiders were shown to be attracted to ruptured nests and galleries from which they gather soldier termite prey that they bundle into silk-wrapped balls before suspending them away from the nests. Three species of Forcipomyia and one species of Atrichopogon (Ceratopogonidae, biting midges), rare associates of spiders, are reported as kleptoparasites on the dangling and immobilized termites.

Nutrients Drive Termite Nest Geophagy in Yellow-chevroned Parakeets (Brotogeris chiriri)

ABSTRACT We observed Yellow-chevroned Parakeets (Brotogeris chiriri) consuming soil from arboreal termite nests while excavating a nest cavity. As most observations of parrot geophagy come from clay licks, this observation prompted questions about the benefits of consuming termite nest soil rather than ground soil. We compared nutrient contents and chemical properties (organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity, macro and micronutrients) from these two types of soil. Termite nest soil had higher concentrations of macronutrients and cation exchange capacity than ground soil, which may be related to mineral supplementation and binding of toxins present in fruits consumed by the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet.

Review on The Incidence and Management of Coconut Termites

Coconut, a major plantation crop in tropics is constrained with both biotic and abiotic factors. Amongst the biotic constraints, termites are the major soil insect-pests in the orchard that can cause damage up to 20% particularly in nursery. In India, termites are found in almost all the coconut growing tracts, but not considered serious except in the nursery. Coconut is grown in cultivated, and in uncultivated (wild/semi-wild) situations in our country, are ravaged by termites mostly by Odontotermes spp. Other, coconut growing countries are affected by other termites (species of Microtermes, Microcerotermes, Coptotermes, Nasutitermes and Neotermes). Worldwide, termites attacking coconut comprise of three families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and eleven genera. In India, termites attacking coconut are exclusively subterranean unlike in other regions (mostly Island nations), where arboreal termites are included. In the latter case, role of ants as biocontrol agent is documented. Microbial pesticides as such are not recommended, is being reasoned out. This review deals with distribution, nature of damage and management aspects in the associated context. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and few indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) are also highlighted.

Register of a New Nidification Substrate for Melipona subnitida Ducke (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini); Termitaria of the Arboreal Nesting Termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster Silvestri (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae)

ABSTRACT - Melipona subnitida , popularly also known as jandaira , is the most frequently domesticated bee in the dry northeastern part of Brazil, and like most other stingless bee species nest in hollow spaces in trees. However, in a small region of Chapada do Araripe plateau the nest of this bee can also be regularly found within living arboreal termite nests of Constrictotermes cyphergaster . Here we describe the structure and content of such a bee nest when we transferred it from a formerly collected termite nest into a wooden nest box, and present complementary information based on an untouched, feral nest. We hypothesize whether or not this nesting habit of M. subnitida is an adaptation to a deficiency in pre-existing cavities in trees locally.

Targeted elimination of the exotic termite, Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), from infested tracts in southeastern Florida

Populations of the arboreal termite, Nasutitermes corniger, discovered in Dania Beach, Florida in 2001 were surveyed and treated for eradication, beginning in 2003. Most N. corniger nest locations were cryptic and some nests contained over 1 million termites. Field efficacy of fipronil (Termidor® SC) and imidacloprid (Premise® 2) were compared in initial treatments, and fipronil was selected for termite-active sites through 2010. In 2006, expanded survey work was discontinued. By 2010 all sites within the original survey area were termite-free. In 2011, a new population of N. corniger was discovered beyond the original 2003 infested tracts. A new (2011–2012) survey revealed a total of four areas outside the original tracts that were infested with N. corniger. No tract treated with fipronil between 2003 and 2010 showed evidence of renewed termite activity in 2011–2012. New application procedures using nest-only and fipronil dust treatments were instituted in May 2012. Live termites were still found within the 2011–2012 treatment area as of November 2013. Very slow but continued spread of N. corniger in tropical urban Florida will have economic consequences as a result of nuisance and structural damage.

Description of two Pseudaphelenchus species (Tylenchomorpha: Aphelenchoididae) associated with Asian termites and proposal of Tylaphelenchinae n. subfam.

Two new Pseudaphelenchus species were discovered from subterranean and arboreal termites from the East Asian subtropics. Pseudaphelenchus sui n. sp. isolated from Coptotermes formosanus was collected from Miyako Isl., Okinawa, Japan, and P. scheffrahni n. sp. was isolated from Nasutitermes takasagoensis collected from the Kenting National Park in Taiwan. The two new species and P. vindai, previously described from Panamanian termites, are close to each other, and are not easily distinguished morphologically, i.e., these three are almost ‘cryptic species’. However, they can be distinguished based on minor morphological differences, including shape of male bursa (clearest in P. vindai, vague in P. sui n. sp. and intermediate in P. scheffrahni n. sp.), male tail tip (P. sui n. sp. often have a small mucron but the others do not), and in the character of the female tail (the two new species have stronger ventral curvature than P. vindai, and further, P. sui n. sp. has clear annulation at distal part, while the other species do not). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based upon near-full-length sequences of the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene suggested that Pseudaphelenchus and Tylaphelenchus form a strongly-supported clade at the base of the family Aphelenchoididae, and that Tylaphelenchus is included in Pseudaphelenchus as an inner clade. Therefore, based on their phylogenetic status and common morphological characters, e.g., small body and spherical median bulb, a subfamily, Tylaphelenchinae n. subfam. is proposed to embrace these two genera. In addition, Ruehmaphelenchus ipidicola n. comb. (= Tylaphelenchus ipidicola) is proposed.