Evaluation of the temperature and relative humidity preferences of the western dry-wood termite Incisitermes minor (Hagen) using acoustic emission (AE) monitoring

摘要

Twenty-four different combinations of six temperatures (15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, and 40°C) and four relative humidity (RH) (60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%) conditions were used for pseudergates of the western dry-wood termite Incisitermes minor (Hagen). The feeding activities of the termites were monitored by the detection of generated acoustic emission (AE) events from feeder wood blocks in a test chamber. Temperature and RH showed independent and interactive significant effects on the feeding activity of I. minor. The optimal temperature and RH conditions for the feeding activities were 35°C and 70%, respectively, and the optimal combinations were 35°C-70% and 35°C-80% with an exceptionally higher feeding activity at the combination condition of 30°C-70%.