Termite Survival Research Articles

Surveillance of ectoparasitic fungi Laboulbeniopsis termitarius thaxt and Antennopsis gallica buchli and heim on subterranean termite reticulitermes spp. in Japan

Ectoparasitic fungi grow on the body surface of termites, and they might effect on behavior, reproductive, and survival of host termites. There are two common species of ectoparasitic fungi found on termite: Laboulbeniopsis gallica Thaxt and Antennopsis gallica Buchli and Heim. In this study, the distribution of L. termitarius and A. gallica in Reticulitermes spp. colonies in Japan was observed. Meanwhile, the infection rate and strength of L. termitarius and A. gallica were discussed with references to the effects of environmental factors at the collections sites. In a total of 63 colonies of Reticulitermes spp. were collected from seventeen locations (from Hokkaido Prefecture to Okinawa Prefecture) in Japan. Five hundred workers and twenty soldiers from each colony were examined individually to see the infection of L. termitarius and A. gallica. The survey showed that L. termitarius distributed in whole Japan and A. gallica had a little bit restricted distribution. The infection rate of workers of Reticulitermes spp. varied among all locations: 0.10 – 16.10% for L. termitarius and 0 – 66.40% for A. gallica. No infected soldiers were observed. The negative relationship between temperature and infection rate was speculated in both fungi. Rearing the colonies in the laboratory might result in the spreading of the fungi in the colonies. Both fungi grew on any body parts of the termites. The trials for isolation and cultivation of Laboulbeniopsis termitarius and A. gallica with eight media did not succeed under the laboratory conditions.

Erythritol Ingestion Causes Concentration-Dependent Mortality in Eastern Subterranean Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae).

Damage from termite infestations is economically significant and control can be costly when requiring the widespread use of conventional insecticides. Erythritol, a polyalcohol sweetener that is safe for human consumption, causes increased mortality when ingested by some insects, indicating potential as a safe alternative insecticide. Here, we investigated the applicability of erythritol as a novel toxicant method of termite control. Eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), were fed paper foods treated with increasing concentrations of erythritol and were assessed for mortality and bait consumption. Termite survival to 8 d (the duration of the experiment) significantly decreased as erythritol treatment concentration increased, indicating that the lethal effects of erythritol were concentration-dependent. Termites consumed erythritol-treated paper at all concentrations and did not display avoidance in choice assays, suggesting that erythritol may be practical for use as an ingestible bait. These results provide a basis for further development of erythritol as a safe alternative method of termite control.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase-mediated metabolic disorders disrupt active immunization against fungal pathogens in eusocial termites

Active immunization is a crucial colony-level pathogen defense to improve the survival of eusocial termites, which limits the lethal effect of biopesticides for termite control. Here, we report a possible strategy for RNAi-mediated metabolic disorders, which causes reduction in insect pathogen defense and might facilitate the foundation of nontoxic and sustainable pest control methods. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) was significantly upregulated by active immunization in termites, but its regulatory mechanism has yet to be well understood. We found that dsIDH-injected termites exhibited significantly reduced IDH at mRNA and protein levels and altered levels of isocitrate and NADH, indicating the impaired NAD+-IDH reaction. IDH-silenced termites displayed metabolic disorders, which was implied by significant changes in several metabolites from the carbohydrates and amino acids. When grooming toward fungus-exposed termites, IDH-silenced nestmates showed a significant upregulation of four apoptosis-related genes and caspase 3 activity, and hence the significantly increased rate of apoptosis. These physiological changes led to more apoptotic cell death in different body parts of the nestmates. In particular, more apoptotic cells increased disease susceptibility of the nestmates as revealed by growth of the significantly increased number of colony-forming units from dissected gut contents. Furthermore, the IDH-silenced nestmates exhibited lower antifungal activity and higher mortality, suggesting that IDH downregulation disrupted active immunization against fungal pathogens in termites. These findings illustrated the metabolic regulation of active immunization and provide a sound foundation for enhancing the impact of biopesticides by reducing the pathogen defense of hosts.

Effects of starvation on survival, cannibalism, body mass, and intestinal protozoan profile in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus

Scarcity or inadequate nutrition can affect biological and behavioural aspects of subterranean termites and their intestinal protozoan profile. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in survival, cannibalism, body mass, and protist community structure of Reticulitermes lucifugus Rossi subspecies “Sicily” following starvation to provide basic knowledge for the development of more specific studies on a possible survival strategy under stressful conditions. In nature, this termite consumes many food sources and its feeding activity is continuous during the year. In a 35-day laboratory experiment, groups of 50 termites (worker/soldier ratio 49:1) were subjected to two diets, starvation (no source of cellulose offered to the termites) and filter-paper feeding (as a control), kept for 35 days with 7-day intervals of inspection, and compared with termites freshly collected from a field colony on May 2017. Under starvation, termite survival decreased to 0% after 35 days for both workers and soldiers, whereas in the fed group (filter-paper diet) it was 83% for workers and 66% for soldiers. Cannibalism was on average 84% on dead workers, 1.7% on survivor workers, and 100% on dead soldiers. The body mass of workers decreased from 3.5 mg/worker (first day of the test) to 2.05 mg/worker (last day of the test). The community structure and abundance of the intestinal protozoa of workers changed in response to starvation. Starvation caused the loss of four, six, and two protist species after 7, 14, and 28 days, respectively, with only one species persisting after 28 days. In most inspection dates, results were significantly different from those of filter-paper-fed and field-collected groups.

Suitable Light Regimes for Filming Termites in Laboratory Bioassays

Laboratory bioassays require strategies to minimize stress and keep animals alive as long as the test demands. Sometimes, however, experimental procedures seem notoriously stressful as, for instance, when exposing termites to the illumination needed for video recordings. Being a condition opposed to what termites naturally experience, light might easily stress such insects or might not affect them at all, as they are blind. Here we check for the effects of distinct light regimes on the survival of termites confined in a typical bioassay setup involving footage. The survival of Cornitermes cumulans (Termitidae: Syntermitinae) workers kept in the dark, or subjected to infrared or to cold white light was compared, finding no statistical difference in their survival in these three treatments. While pointing directions for further research on the reasons for such results, we conclude that video recordings of C. cumulans termite workers can be conducted under infrared or cold white LEDs, as these light regimes do not affect the survival of tested individuals.

DsRNA Injection Successfully Inhibited Two Endogenous β-Glucosidases in Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

Cellulose digestion is an essential process of termites, and it is accomplished by three types of cellulases. β-Glucosidase (BG), one of the critical cellulases responsible for cellulose degradation and glucose production, has been considered as a potential target for pest management strategies. Previous experiments identified two new endogenous BG homologs, CfBG-Ia and CfBG-Ib, in the digestive system of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of RNA interference on CfBG-Ia and CfBG-Ib expression and on termite survival. We tested the expression profiles of worker termites which were injected with gene-specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA, targeting one gene at a time) and a dsRNA cocktail (targeting CfBG-Ia and CfBG-Ib simultaneously). The expression of CfBG-Ib showed a sharp decline in both dsCfBG-Ib and dsRNA cocktail treatments. The expression of CfBG-Ia reduced quickly and significantly in the dsRNA cocktail treatment; while in dsCfBG-Ia treatment, it decreased on the fifth day. Results showed that treatment with the dsRNA cocktail caused greater inhibition of the transcript expression and a shorter response time. However, the expression of nontarget BG homologs was increased as the target BG homologs were being repressed during the testing period in dsRNA cocktail treatment. These results demonstrate that targeting cellulase-coding genes may be a potential strategy to inhibit termite digestion process, or at least dsRNA cocktails serve as a means for identifying the most susceptible target gene families or biological processes.

Natural Resistance of Rattan Species from Sumatra Against Subterranean Termite and Its Relation to Chemical Properties (Ketahanan Alami Rotan Asal Sumatra terhadap Rayap Tanah dan Hubungannya dengan Sifat Kimia)

The main problem of rattan utilization was the ravages of destructive organisms attack. The objective of this study was to determine the natural resistance of rattan species from Sumatra against subterranean termites and its relation with the chemical characteristics of rattan. All samples were tested for resistance to subterranean termite and its chemical characteristics according to the Indonesian National Standard. Observations, percentage weight loss, termite survival and degree of attack were determined. Results showed that Calamus insignis, C. holttumii, Daemonorps verticillaris, and D. longipes included in very resistant (Class I). Korthalsia flagellaris, C. zonatus, C. laevigatus, D. sepals, C. spectatissimus, C. rugosus, and C. oleyanus included in resistance class II. Furthermore, D. micracantha included in the class of moderate resistance (class III). The cellulose content has no significant correlation (P>0.01), and lignin has a significant negative correlation (P<0.01) to the weight loss, termite survival and the degree of attack. Rattan that has resistance class I and II can be utilized as raw material of furniture and crafts, while rattan which have resistance class III require preservation treatment to extend its service life.

Exploring the Caste-Specific Multi-Layer Defense Mechanism of Formosan Subterranean Termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki.

The survival and foraging of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in a microbe-rich environment reflect the adaptation of an extraordinary, sophisticated defense mechanism by the nest-mates. We aimed to explore the host pathogen interaction by studying caste-specific volatile chemistry and genes encoding the antioxidant defense of winged imagoes, nymphs, soldiers and workers of Formosan subterranean termites. Qualitative analyses of C. formosanus Shiraki performed by HS-SPME/GC-MS showed considerable variations in the chemical composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their proportions among all the castes. Winged imagoes produced the most important compounds such as naphthalene and n-hexanoic acid. The antifungal activity of these compounds along with nonanal, n-pentadecane, n-tetradecane, n-heptadecane and methyl octanoate against the conidial suspensions of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana isolates enable us to suggest that the failure of natural fungal infection in the nest is due to the antiseptic environment of the nest, which is mainly controlled by the VOCs of nest-mates. In addition, conidial germination of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana isolates evaluated on the cuticle of each caste showed significant variations among isolates and different castes. Our results showed that the conidia of M. anisopliae 02049 exhibited the highest germination on the cuticle of all the inoculated castes. Moreover, we recorded the lowest germination of the conidia of B. bassiana 200436. Caste-specific germination variations enabled us to report for the first time that the cuticle of winged imagoes was found to be the most resistant cuticle. The analysis of the transcriptome of C. formosanus Shiraki revealed the identification of 17 genes directly involved in antioxidant defense. Expression patterns of the identified antioxidant genes by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) revealed the significantly highest upregulation of CAT, GST, PRXSL, Cu/Zn-SOD2, TXN1, TXN2, TXNL1, TXNL2, TXNL4A and TPx genes among winged imagoes upon infection with the most virulent isolate, M. anisopliae 02049. Furthermore, soldiers showed the least expression of genes encoding antioxidant defense. Our findings indicated that the volatile chemistry of nest-mates and genes encoding antioxidant defense greatly contribute to the survival and foraging of Formosan subterranean termites in a microbe-rich habitat.

Effects of Termites on Soil pH and Its Application for Termite Control in Zhejiang Province, China

Soil dwelling termites dig nests in the ground that have a significant impact on the soil environment. Activities of termites can result in accumulation of organic matter and enrichment of nutrients and minerals in the soil. Samples from the nest/surrounding soils of two termite species (Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) and Reticulitermes flaviceps (Oshima)) and termite non-invaded soils in the seawall of the Qiantang River, Zhejiang Province, China were collected and analysed for soil pH. The results show that the observed termites prefer an acidic environment and that their activities elevate the pH of termite mound soil compared with surrounding soil. Considering the differences in the distribution areas, termite species, and properties of termite mounds and surrounding soils, this paper also examines the literature concerning the effects of termites on soil pH. After summarizing the pH of the termite survival soil environment, the feasibility of termite control by modifying the soil pH is addressed. Finally, some topics for future research are discussed.

Survival of Termites (Isoptera) Exposed to Various Levels of Relative Humidity (RH) and Water Availability, and Their RH Preferences

Abstract Termites (Isoptera) are widely believed to be one of the most desiccation-prone insects. They must combat desiccation by locating and efficiently conserving water resources. Termites have evolved morphological, physiological, and behavioral characteristics that aid in the tolerance of desiccation. In 3 studies using 4 termite species, water loss tolerance and relative humidity (RH) preferences of termites exposed to 5 different RH, as well as the use of different water sources, were examined. Our results showed that Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Rhinotermitidae) preferred and survived better at high RH and with readily available water sources. Neotermes jouteli (Banks in Banks and Snyder) (Kalotermitidae) also preferred a high RH, but was more capable of tolerating lower RH and a lack of free water than C. formosanus. Cryptotermes brevis Walker (Kalotermitidae) and Cryptotermes cavifrons Banks (Kalotermitidae) did not exhibit greater survival in a certain RH nor when exposed to various sources ...

Feeding preference of the drywood termite Cryptotermes cynocephalus (Kalotermitidae) against industrial tree plantation species in the Philippines

The feeding preference of the drywood termite Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) was investigated against five fast growing industrial tree plantation species in the Philippines, viz., Gmelina arborea Roxb, Acacia mangium Willd Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen, Swietenia macrophylla King, and Eucalyptus deglupta Blume. No-choice and choice feeding tests were conducted to determine mass loss, wood consumption, level of resistance, and termite survival after 12weeks of exposure period. Results showed that the order of feeding preference of C. cynocephalus from most to least preferred was P. falcataria, A. mangium, G. arborea, S. macrophylla and E. deglupta in no-choice and choice feeding tests.

Effects of heartwood extractives on symbiotic protozoan communities and mortality in two termite species

Lower termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) are considered severe pests of wood in service, crops and plantation forests. Termites mechanically remove and digest lignocellulosic material as a food source. The ability to digest lignocellulose not only depends on their digestive tract physiology, but also on the symbiotic relationship between termites and their intestinal microbiota. The current study was designed to test the possible effects of four heartwood extractives (Tectona grandis, Dalbergia sissoo, Cedrus deodara and Pinus roxburghii) on the mortality, feeding rate and protozoan population in two lower termites, Reticulitermes flavipes and Heterotermes indicola. All wood extractives tested rapidly lowered protozoan numbers in the hindgut of termite workers, which was closely correlated with worker mortality. The average population of protozoans in both termite species was diminished in a dose-dependent manner after fifteen days feeding on treated filter paper. Mortality of termites increased when fed on filter paper treated with T. grandis or D. sissoo heartwood extractives with minimum feeding rate at the maximum concentration (10 mg ml−1). Protozoan number and termite survival was also compared with starved termites and results showed that protozoan populations ware reduced up to 99.60 and 65.71% in R. flavipes and H. indicola, respectively as compared to untreated filter paper controls with ≅ 80% survival for both termite species. Characterizations of heartwood extractives were performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chemical profiles were obtained for extractives from each wood species. The largest chemical components, based on percentage of sample, identified from T. grandis were Squalene, 2-methyl-9, 10-Anthracenedione and 1-Methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline. Trismethoxyresveratrol, 1, 3-Diamino-8-n-butyl-5, 6 dihydrobenzoquinazoline and 6, 8-dimethyl-Benzanthracene were the largest components from D. sissoo. The largest percentage components from C. deodara were (E) – Atlantone, Di-epi-alpha-cedrene and alpha-Cuprenene. The main components of P. roxburghii were identified as 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-5, 8-dimethyl-Acridin-9-amine, 2, 3-dihydro-5, 7-dihydroxy-2phenyl-4H-1-Benzopyran-4-one and 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-phenyl4H-1-Benzopyran-4-one. These are discussed in terms of their termiticidal and protozoicidal properties.

The effects of various lignocelluloses and lignins on physiological responses of a lower termite, Coptotermes formosanus

We investigated the physiological responses of a lower termite, Coptotermes formosanus, fed on various lignocelluloses and purified lignins (milled-wood lignins, MWLs) from Japanese cedar (softwood), Japanese beech (hardwood), and rice (grass). Termite survival, body mass, and the changes of the symbiotic protists in the hindgut of workers were observed for 4 weeks. The survival, body mass and presence of both Pseudotrichonympha grassii and Holomastigotoides hartmanni in the hindgut of workers fed on rice lignocellulose at the 4th week of observation were significantly lower than those of the workers fed on Japanese cedar and Japanese beech lignocellulose samples, whereas there was no significant difference in Spirotrichonympha leidyi among all the diets. The three purified MWLs, regardless of their structural differences, did not show any significant differences for the termites’ survival or body mass or the survival of all the three protists. The three MWL diets resulted in significantly lower termite survival compared to starvation, although these diets showed no significant effects on body mass or the protist profiles. Overall, lignins are hardly utilized as a nutrient source by C. formosanus workers and are even rather detrimental to termites when fed on solely.

Uric acid, an important antioxidant contributing to survival in termites.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated spontaneously in all organisms and cause oxidative damage to biomolecules when present in excess. Accumulated oxidative damage accelerates aging; enhanced antioxidant capacity may be a positive factor for longevity. Recently, numerous studies of aging and longevity have been performed using short-lived animals, however, longevity mechanisms remain unknown. Here we show that a termite Reticulitermes speratus that is thought to be long-lived eusocial insect than other solitary insects uses large quantities of uric acid as an antioxidant against ROS. We demonstrated that the accumulation of uric acid considerably increases the free radical-scavenging activity and resistance against ultraviolet-induced oxidative stress in laboratory-maintained termites. In addition, we found that externally administered uric acid aided termite survival under highly oxidative conditions. The present data demonstrates that in addition to nutritional and metabolic roles, uric acid is an essential antioxidant for survival and contributes significantly to longevity. Uric acid also plays important roles in primates but causes gout when present in excess in humans. Further longevity studies of long-lived organisms may provide important breakthroughs with human health applications.

Association between Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) (Isoptera: Termitidae) with Pilosocereus gounellei (Weber ex Schum) Byles &amp; Rowley (Cactaceae) at the Northeastern Brazil

Termites are important components of tropical ecosystems, as decomposers and for their outstanding role in feeding guilds. There are about 2,800 species of termites in terrestrial ecosystems, organized into seven families. Factors that determine abundance in termite colonies are soil type, quality of microhabitat, humidity, and availability of food resources. The species Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) belongs to the Family Termitidae and to the Subfamily Nasutitermitinae. Termites in this taxon are characterized by building their nests in arboreal environments and rocks. Ecological interactions of termites and cactaceans are still scarcely studied. The research was done during the year of 2014, at the Experimental Station of the Federal University of Paraíba, located in the Municipality of São João do Cariri, State of Paraíba, Brazil. A quadrant with a total area of 2,500 m2 was delimited. Fifteen random samples of Pilosocereus gounellei (Weber ex Schum) Byles &amp; Rowley containg termites, and 15 random samples without termites, were chosen. We report a previously unreported relationship between these organisms, and analize the relationship existing between the size of the cactaceans and the occurrence of termite mounds. We conclude that the relationship between the cactacean P. gounellei and the termite C. cyphergaster is one of herbivory of the later over the former. After consuming all the living tissues of the plants, the termites abandon the plant, because these cactaceans no longer provides the necessary conditions for the survival of termites. Xique-xique associated with termite mounds show visual signs of suffocating debilitation, leading to the total collapse of the cactaceans.

Impact of Ground-Applied Termiticides on the Above-Ground Foraging Behavior of the Formosan Subterranean Termite.

We conducted a laboratory study to determine the impact of ground-applied termiticides on the above-ground foraging behavior of Coptotermes formosanus. Two concentrations (1 and 10 ppm) each of three termiticides, viz. fipronil, imidacloprid and chlorantraniliprole, were tested. After one month post-treatment (fipronil 10 ppm was run for 12 days only and all other treatments were run for one month), fipronil had the lowest percentage of survival (3%–4%) at both concentrations. Termite survival ranged from 31% to 40% in the case of imidacloprid treatments and 10 ppm chlorantraniliprole. However, 1 ppm chlorantraniliprole did not cause significant mortality compared to the controls. Foraging on the bottom substrate was evident in all replicates for all chemicals initially. However, a portion of the foraging population avoided the ground treatment toxicants after several days of bottom foraging. Only the slower-acting non-repellents created this repellent barrier, causing avoidance behavior that was most likely due to dead termites and fungus buildup on the treated bottom substrate. Fipronil appeared more toxic and faster acting at the concentrations tested, thus limiting this repellent effect. Suggestions by the pest control industry in Louisiana that some non-repellents can create a repellent barrier stranding live termites above ground are supported by this laboratory study.

Suitability of Substrate for Laboratory Studies with the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes grassei (Clément) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Two substrates, sand and vermiculite, were tested in rearing laboratory experiments with Reticulitermes grassei at different culture periods (2, 4 and 6 weeks). Although information is available regarding procedures to keep species of Reticulitermes in lab, none of them is referred to the Mediterranean termite R. grassei. The suitability of substratum was assessed in terms of survival of termites. The highest survival rate was in the experiment with sand and short-time duration, but after six weeks exposure, survival was significantly lower on this substrate. These differences among substrates were not significant for any of the treatments.

Influence of soil type on the properties of termite mound nests in Southern India

Termite mounds are conspicuous features in many tropical ecosystems. Their shape and soil physicochemical properties have been suggested to result from the termites ecological need to control the temperature and humidity within their nests and protect themselves from predators. This study aimed to determine the influence of the parent soil properties on the shape and soil physical and chemical properties of termite mounds. Termite mounds built by the fungus-growing termite species Odontotermes obesus were compared in two forests with different soil properties (Ferralsol or Luvisol) in Southern India. Our findings confirm that soil properties influence the physicochemical characteristics of mound material and may affect the shape, but these impacts are mostly independent of the size of the mounds (i.e., the age of the colonies). Mound walls were more enriched in clay and impoverished in C and N in the Luvisol than the Ferralsol. However, their shape was more complex in the Ferralsol than the Luvisol, suggesting a possible link between the clay content in soil and the shape of termite mounds. The results also suggest that clay becomes enriched in O. obesus mound walls through a more passive process rather than solely by particle selection, and that termite mound shape results from the soil properties rather than the ecological needs of termites. In conclusion, although ecologists have mainly focused upon the influence of termite ecological needs on their nest properties, this study highlights the need for a better understanding about the role of the soil pedological properties and, as a consequence, how these properties drive the establishment and survival of termites in tropical ecosystems.

Natural resistance of exotic wood species to the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate survival and wood consumption of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, on ten different species of wood used as commercial lumber. Six of the wood species had natural resistance to termites and caused an average of >75% mortality. Southern yellow pine and spruce were the most palatable and teak was the most resistant of the wood tested. A test was also conducted to compare survival of termites on resistant wood with survival under starvation conditions after three and six weeks. After six weeks, survival of termites on teak was significantly lower than in the starvation control, suggesting that at least some of the termite mortality on teak may have been due to toxicity. Toxic chemical components of teak hold the most promise as wood preservatives.

Rehydration After Water Stress in Forager Workers of Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattaria: Rhinotermitidae)

Water maintenance is vital for termite survival under dry conditions, hence environment humidity is one of the most important factors that controls the distribution of Isoptera. To understand the dynamics of termite rehydration after water loss, two bioassays were performed with forager workers of Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) submitted to water stress. Insects were weighed and placed into Petri dishes without water and food for periods of 3, 15, and 30 h. For each period of water stress, 10 replicates were performed in the treatment and control groups, totalling 120 experimental units. Forager workers lost body mass across all periods of water stress and tested with the highest reduction for the 30 h exposure period. Subsequent access to water resulted in termite rehydration, and final weight values were near to initial body mass values. These results demonstrate that workers of C. gestroi experienced large reductions of body mass under water stress, but these reductions were not severe enough to cause mortality. Additionally, termites were able to rehydrate after water stress conditions. This is a potential risk factor to be considered in cases of new infestations because C. gestroi workers will be able to cause economic damage in their new locations even when deprived of water during their transportation by humans.