Effect of Seasonal Changes in Foraging Activity of a Subterranean Termite Anacanthotermes vagans (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae)

Document Type : Paper, Persian

Authors

1 Department of Crop Protection, Agriculture College, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

2 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan and Yazd Cultural Heritage & Tourism Organization, Iran

3 Iranian Institute of Plant Protection, Velenjak, Teheran, Iran

Abstract

Foraging behavior of subterranean termites is strongly influenced by environmental conditions and is related directly to termite damages. The seasonal changes in foraging activity of subterranean
termits can affect the efficacy of baiting method in a management program. The subterranean termite,
Anacanthotermes vagans (Hagen) (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae)is an important urban pest with economic damage in central and southern regions of Iran. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of seasonal changes on foraging activity and wood consumption in Yazd over a two-year period
(June 2013 to May 2015). Foraging variations were monitored according to three variables including active stations, foraging population and wood consumption. 85 monitoring and 15 feeding stations monthly inspected. The results showed that foraging activity of A. vagans, is completely seasonal and begins after a quarterly stop in March and was highest from July to August. Comparison of
foraging activity pattern changes with mean of temperature fluctuations and monthly precipitation showed seasonal changes in foraging activity is directly related to temperature. In addition, it appears the sharp decline in winter temperature may reduce the population of colony.

Keywords

References

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