Monday, December 10, 2007 - 8:53 AM
0539

Survival of the Formosan and Eastern subterranean termites (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae) and their gut microfauna from UV radiation

Nurmastini Sufina Bujang, sufina@ufl.edu and Nan-Yao Su, nysu@ufl.edu. University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Research & Education Center, 3205 College Ave, Davie, FL

The adverse effects of UV radiation on individual termites and in groups were studied in the laboratory. We report and compare the lethal and sublethal effects of UV exposure on Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). The termites were subjected to various wavelengths and exposure time. The survival, speed of movement and distance of tunneling of these termites were recorded and will be discussed.



Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite)
Species 2: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes flavipes (eastern subterranean termite)