Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T19:39:29.118Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of caste composition on wood consumption in cultures of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

J. A. L. Watson ,
D. B. A. Ruyooka  and
C. D. Howick
J. A. L. Watson
Affiliation:
Division of Entomology, CSIRO, Canberra, A. C. T. 2601, Australia
D. B. A. Ruyooka
Affiliation:
S.C.A.A.P. Fellow, Department of Forestry, Australian National University, Canberra, A. C. T. 2600, Australia
C. D. Howick
Affiliation:
Division of Building Research, CSIRO, Highett, Vic. 3190, Australia
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Altering the proportions by weight of first-stage workers in groups of large workers from 26 to 40%, or of fourth-and fifth-stage reproductive nymphs in groups of mixed workers from 0 to 15%, did not affect wood consumption by laboratory cultures of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill). However, increasing the proportion of soldiers in groups of mixed workers from 0 to 15% decreased food consumption, which was very closely related to: the weight of workers present. The presence of 7·5% of large workers near to ecdysis had no significant effect, but food consumption was depressed when the proportion reached 15%, apparently due to high mortality among the moulting workers. It is concluded that caste composition can be an important factor in laboratory tests of materials against termite attack and that, unlike soldiers or large workers near to ecdysis, first-stage workers and late-stage reproductive nymphs of N. exitiosus are substantially independent castes, at least in their feeding.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 68 , Issue 4 , December 1978 , pp. 687 - 694
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Becker, G. (1962). Laboratoriumsprüfung von Holz und Holzschutzmitteln mit der südasiatischen Termite Heterotermes indicola Wasmann.—Holz Roh-u. Werkstoff. 20, 476–486.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gay, F. J., Greaves, T., Holdaway, F. G. & Wetherly, A. H. (1955). Standard laboratory colonies of termites for evaluating the resistance of timber, timber preservatives, and other materials to termite attack. —Bull. Commonw. scient. ind. Res. Org. 277, 1–60.Google Scholar
Howick, C. D. & Creffield, J. W. (1975). The development of a standard laboratory bio-assay technique with Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt (Isoptera: Mastotermitidae).—Z. angew. Ent. 78, 126–138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kriston, I., Watson, J. A. L. & Eisner, T. (1977). Non-combative behavior of large soldiers of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill): an analytical study.—Insectes soc. 24, 103–111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McMahan, E. A. (1974). Non-aggressive behaviour in the large soldier of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Isoptera: Termitidae).—Insectes soc. 21, 95–106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McMahan, E. A. (1977). Mound repair and foraging polyethism in workers of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill): (Isoptera: Termitidae).—Insectes soc. 24, 225–232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McMahan, E. A. & Watson, J. A. L. (1975). Non-reproductive castes and their development in Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Isoptera).—Insectes soc. 22, 183–198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McMahan, E. A. & Watson, J. A. L. (1978). The effect of separation by “papering” on caste ratios in Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Isoptera).—J. Aust. ent. Soc. 16, 455–457.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore, B. P. (1964). Volatile terpenes from Nasutitermes soldiers (Isoptera: Termitidae).—J. Insect Physiol. 10, 371–375.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Noirot, C. (1969). Formation of castes in the higher termites, pp. 311–350 in Krishna, K. and Weesner, F. M. (Eds.). Biology of termites. Volume 1.—598 pp. New York and London, Academic Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ratcliffe, F. N., Gay, F. J. & Greaves, T. (1952). Australian termites.—124 pp. Melbourne, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization.Google Scholar
Watson, J. A. L. (1974). Caste development and its seasonal cycle in the Australian harvester termite, Drepanotermes perniger (Froggatt) (Isoptera: Termitinae).—Aust. J. Zool. 22, 471–487.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watson, J. A. L. & Abbey, H. M. (1977). The development of reproductives in Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Isoptera: Termitidae).—J. Aust. ent. Soc. 16, 161–164.CrossRefGoogle Scholar