Tunneling activity of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in sand with moisture gradients.

J Econ Entomol

Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33314, USA.

Published: February 2003

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study examined how Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes created tunnels in a controlled environment with varying moisture levels.
  • Initially, moisture levels didn't impact tunneling behavior, but as termites moved away from a central point, they tunneled significantly more in sand with higher moisture content.
  • Fractal analysis revealed that while tunnel geometry had a consistent fractal dimension, both species preferred to tunnel more in wet sand throughout the 10-day observation period.

Article Abstract

Tunnel formation by Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes was studied in a two-dimensional foraging arena with a moisture gradient. Moisture did not appear to affect tunneling when termite first emerged from the central release chamber. But as termites of both species moved further away from the chamber and into a moisture gradient, they tunneled significantly (P < 0.05) more in sand with a higher moisture content than in sand with a lower moisture content. Over the 10 d test period, both termite species tunneled more in sand with a higher moisture content. Fractal analysis indicated that regardless of the sand moisture content, termite tunnel geometry had a fractal dimension and termites generally tunneled more in higher moisture sand.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jee/96.1.88DOI Listing

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