During the past 20 years, termite management strategies have become more diversified with the introduction of baiting systems, non-repellent termiticides, and physical exclusion barriers. An increased knowledge of termite basic ecology and biology will aid in implementing the most effective use of these new strategies. Currently, knowledge of termite ecology in native tallgrass prairie habitats is limited. The objective of this study is to characterize termite colonies on the Nature Conservancy’s Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in northeastern Oklahoma.

During spring of 2003, 41 monitoring devices consisting of 24 in-ground stations and 16 soil surface ground-boards were installed in a 12m by 12m grid. Additional monitoring devices were installed wherever termite activity occurred near the grid perimeter, expanding the initial grid to 30m by 30m.

Triple-mark-release-recapture methods with dyed termites were used to delineate foraging territories. Lincoln Index and Weighted Means Model calculations were used to estimate numbers of foraging termites. Caste ratios were recorded during each recapture cycle. Estimates of foraging populations and territory sizes were compared with those from previous studies in different habitats