Foraging activity and demographic patterns of two termite species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) living in urban landscapes in southeastern Brazil

• Published in: European journal of entomology Vol. 102; no. 4; pp. 691 - 697
• Main Authors: ARAB, Alberto, COSTA-LEONARDO, Ana Maria, CASARIN, Fabiana Elaine, GUARALDO, André De Camargo, CHAVES, Ricardo C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ceske Budejovice Institute of Entomology 03.11.2005; Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science
• Subjects: Coptotermes gestroi; Heterotermes tenuis; isoptera; mark-release-recapture; rhinotermitidae; subterranean termites; territory size; wood consumption
• ISSN: 1210-5759; 1802-8829
• DOI: 10.14411/eje.2005.098

Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) are important pests in southeastern Brazil causing serious economic damage. In this study we determined the demographic patterns and foraging activity of these species using mark-release-recapture and the consumption of wooden stakes. Using both the weighted mean and Lincoln index methods, population estimates ranged from approximately 0.57 to 1.99 million individuals for C. gestroi and from approximately 0.20 to 1.37 million for H. tenuis. Territory size of the colonies ranged from 172.5 to 5235 m super(2) for C. gestroi and from 16 to 40 m super(2) for H. tenuis. Our results also indicate that foraging activity was dependent on the minimum temperature; however, the existence of a compensation strategy in the foraging activities may permit foragers to exploit food sources under different environmental conditions.