Laboratory studies with Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) in foraging arenas in which one side contained borate-treated wood (1.77 % boric acid equivalents) and the other contained untreated wood demonstrated that foragers begin to avoid areas containing borate-treated wood prior to the onset of mortality. However, high mortality rates in the laboratory limit the duration of these behavioral studies. To overcome this limitation, foraging arenas were installed in the field over an active C. formosanus colony. Study objectives were to determine (i) if foragers feeding on borate-treated wood die in certain areas of the arenas and deter additional foragers from entering these locations, and (ii) if foragers will consistently attempt to feed on borate-treated wood when it is alternated with untreated wood in the same location.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Coptotermes Formosanus (Formosan Subterranean Termite)
Keywords: foraging behavior, tunneling
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