A computer simulation program (SimTerm©) was developed to characterize the tunnel geometry of subterranean termites. Critical components identified for the 1st version of SimTerm included number of primary tunnels originated from the release chamber, linear length of primary tunnel segments, turning angle of each linear segment of a primary tunnel, branching angles of secondary tunnels, probability of branching per each linear segment of a primary tunnel, termination probability for primary tunnels, termination probability for secondary tunnels. Comparisons of “real” tunnels with tunnels simulated by SimTerm further identified other critical components needed for characterization of termite tunneling geometry.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite)
Species 2: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes flavipes (Eastern subterranean termite)
Keywords: Foraging behavior, Food location
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