Observations of Reticulitermes spp. in Solenopsis invicta mounds (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae, Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

摘要

Subterranean termite (Reticulitermes spp.) were observed inhabiting mounds of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Buren). A survey of 100 S. invicta mounds was conducted along 4 treeline transects, and one building perimeter, in Lee and Macon counties, Alabama. Reticulitermes sip. termite were found in 19 of these mounds, either in the soil of the mound or in termite foraging material. R.flavipes individuals occurred in greater proportions in mounds containing only soft, while R. virginicus individuals occurred in greater proportions in mounds containing wood. Reproductive caste (nymph and alate) proportions were significantly greater than worker proportions in mounds containing only soil for both species. An examination of temperature and moisture content of soil within and surrounding ant mounds as well as nearby wood is also presented. Air (x-bar = 26.2 deg C) and surrounding soil (x-bar = 24.2 deg C) temperatures were significantly lower than those of mound soil (x-bar = 30.7 deg C) and nearby wood (x-bar = 29.5 deg C). In two moisture studies, wood near mounds contained significantly greater amounts of moisture (x-bar = 11.6 and 10.8%) than the upper portions of S. invicta mounds (x-bar = 2.3 and 2.9%). A discussion of the possible adaptive significance of termite within ant mounds is presented.