Preferences Of Subterranean Termite For Wood, Semiochemicals And Soil

Subterranean termites are economically important pests in tropics and subtropics regions because of their overt activities and large groups. In China, Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flaviceps can cause serious damage to structural lumber. In recent years, population control technology(PCT) has been becoming a major method to prevent termites invade building.However, developing a high-efficiency termite attractant is one of difficulties to be overcomed at present. In this study, preferences of C. formosanus and R. flaviceps for wood, semiochemicals and soil were evaluated. The results could provide useful information on developing termite attractants. The main results of this study are as follows:(1) Six species wood of masson pine(Pinus massoniana), Douglas fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii), merbau(Intsia bijuga), teak(Tectona grandis), Chinese fir(Cunninghamia lanceolata)and oak(Quercus mongolica) were evaluated in 4-weeks non-choice test. The results showed C.formosanus and R. flaviceps were both significantly prefer to eat masson pine and Douglas fir. In particle choice test, C. formosanus and R. flaviceps were both like to eat or carry 1.00 mm masson pine particle. In bark choice test, the feeding amount of Camphor bark(Cinnamomum camphora)is significantly more than eucalyptus barks(Eucalyptus robusta and Eucalyptus tereticornis) by C.formosanus and R. flaviceps.(2) One of phagostimulant(hydroquinone), one of calling pheromone(n-butyl butyrate), two of trail pheromones(cis-3-hexen-1-ol and trans-3-hexen-1-ol) and two of egg-recognition pheromones(β-glucosidase and lysozyme) were used to evaluate termite attraction. The results showed that hydroquinone was not significantly attraction to C. formosanus and R. flaviceps in the concentration 100-0.01ng/50μL. Other semiochemicals showed significantly attractive to C.formosanus: cis-3-hexen-1-ol 1×10-5 and 1×10-6ng/cm2, trans-3-hexen-1-ol 1×10-3ng/cm2,β-glucosidase 6.25mg/mL, lysozyme 25mg/mL, n-butyl butyrate 100, 10 and 1mg/mL. Other semiochemicals showed significantly attractive to R. flaviceps: cis-3-hexen-1-ol 0.01 and1×10-3ng/cm2, trans-3-hexen-1-ol 1 and 0.1ng/cm2, β-glucosidase 100 and 50mg/mL, lysozyme6.25mg/mL, n-butyl butyrate 1mg/mL.(3) Comparing the distribution terimites in clay, sand, topsoil and sedimentary soil, the results showed that C. formosanus and R. flaviceps were both like act in the acidic topsoil in short-term(24h) and long-term(7 days) test. In sand particle choice test, C. formosanus and R. flaviceps were prefer to act in sand particles of less than 0.25 mm.