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Nesting pattern of the termites Odontotermes obesus Rambur and Odontotermes wallonensis Wasmann (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

G. Veeranna  and
S. Basalingappa
G. Veeranna
Affiliation:
Karnataka State Sericulture Development Institute, Thalaghattapura, Bangalore 560 062, India
S. Basalingappa
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Karnataka University, Dharwad 580 003, India
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Abstract

The colony foundation and development, and pattern of young and established nests of Odontotermes obesus and O. wallonensis were investigated. Swarming of alates of both the species occurred during pre-monsoon (April/May) and continued throughout the wet months. After pairing, alates of both the species selected sites in crevices of the soil or in loose soil for the foundation of a colony. The active construction of the mound was observed during the cool hours of the day in rainy months.

The young nests of O. obesus was conical-shaped with one or more conical turrets, whereas it was dome-shaped with one or two domes like turrets in O. wallonensis. In young colonies, the fungus combs were aggregated in the central cavity and the royal chamber was situated beneath usually at the centre. The established nests of both the species were extended by addition of vaults, galleries, runways, etc. The mound nest was extended in vertical direction in O. obesus, whereas it was extended horizontally in O. wallonensis.

Résumé

La mise en place et le dévéloppement ainsi que le schéma des nids jeunes et établis de l'Odontotermes obesus et de l'Odontotermes wallonensis ont été etudies. L'essaimage des ailes des deux espèces a été lieu pendant la pré–mousson (avril/mai) et jusque la fin de la mousson. Après l'accouplement, les ailés des deux espèces choisissaient les emplacements dans les crévasses du sol, ou dans le sol détaché, pour la formation de la colonie. La construction du tas de terre se poursuivait activement pendant les heures fraiches du jour durant les mois des la mousson. Les nids jeunes d'Odontotermes obesus sont eonique avec une ou plusiers tourelles, tandis qu'il etait de la forme du dôme avec une ou deux tourelles—dômes en cas d'Odontotermes wallonensis. Aux colonies jeunes, la rassemblent des meules a champigons à été observés dans la cavité centrale: au–dessous ne etait la chambre royale, normalement au centre. Les nids etablis des deux espèces sont encore elargis par l'addition des voutes, des galleries, des pistes, etc. Le tas du nid s'etend dans la direction verticale d'O. obesus tandis qu'il etait de la forme du horizontale en O. wallonensis.

Keywords

Odontotermes obesusOdontotermes wallonensisfungus combnestroyal chamberswarmingOdontotermes obesusOdontotermes wallonensismeule à champignonsnidcellulechamber royaleessaimag
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , April 1989 , pp. 169 - 180
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1989

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