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1 June 2011 Effect of Seasonal Changes in Soil Temperature and Moisture on Wood Consumption and Foraging Activity of Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Mary L. Cornelius, Weste L. A. Osbrink
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Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine how seasonal changes affect the foraging activity and wood consumption of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), in New Orleans, LA. There was a significant correlation between wood consumption and air temperature, soil temperature, and soil moisture, but not precipitation or number of rainy days. In the first year of the study, wood consumption was the lowest in December, February, and March. Wood consumption in January was not significantly different from consumption during the rest of the year. There were no seasonal changes in the number of underground monitoring stations occupied by termites. In the second year of the study, wood consumption was lowest from January to March. There was a significant decrease in the number of monitoring stations occupied by termites during the winter. This study determined that C. formosanus will remain in monitoring stations and resume feeding during warmer periods of a mild winter if average soil temperatures remain above 15°C. Only prolonged periods of cold weather, with average soil temperatures below 15°C, caused a significant number of termites to abandon underground monitoring stations. Seasonal changes in foraging activity would probably only disrupt baiting programs during severe winters in New Orleans, LA.

Mary L. Cornelius and Weste L. A. Osbrink "Effect of Seasonal Changes in Soil Temperature and Moisture on Wood Consumption and Foraging Activity of Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)," Journal of Economic Entomology 104(3), 1024-1030, (1 June 2011). https://doi.org/10.1603/EC10332
Received: 10 September 2010; Accepted: 1 April 2011; Published: 1 June 2011
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KEYWORDS
feeding rates
monitoring station
seasonal trends
subterranean termite
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