Effects of disturbance and the presence of termite and other invertebrate carcasses at feeding sites on the behavior of the subterranean termite Microcerotermes crassus (Blattodea: Termitidae).

摘要

Ten factors which may affect the behavior of Microcerotermes crassus Snyder were evaluated in this study. The factors include: disturbance, crushed workers or soldiers (nestmates or non-nestmates), crushed Asian subterranean termites (Coptotermes gestroi [Wasmann]), crushed longlegged ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith)), crushed Ghost ants (Tapinoma indicum Forel), crushed millipedes (Harphaphe sp.) and crushed wood lice (Porcellionides sp.). The distribution of M. crassus was recorded between treated and untreated areas on day 1 and day 6 post-treatment. Observations show that disturbances or the presence of carcasses only deterred the termites temporarily. However, prolonged treatment with crushed C. gestroi showed that termites avoided the treated area even at 6 days post-treatment. Initially, M. crassus was probably deterred from the treated area temporarily because of the presence of C. gestroi carcasses. However, repeated treatments soon lead to fungi growth on the wood blocks and carcasses, rendering the area and the food unfit for the termites. Survival was also lowest in dishes treated with crushed C. gestroi which could be attributed to the presence of fungi. Termites consumed less wood in the dishes containing or treated with crushed conspecifics (workers or soldiers of nestmates and non-nestmates), or with C. gestroi. M. crassus either consumed the carcasses or buried them with sand.