Monday, December 11, 2006
D0120

Use of inter-species aggression to distinguish subterranean termites Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and R. malletei (nomen nudum) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Delaware

Greta Thorson, ginsect@udel.edu, University of Florida, Entomology & Nematology, Gainesville, FL and Susan King, swhitney@udel.edu, University of Delaware, Entomology & Wildlife Ecology, Newark, DE.

Observations in field sites at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, DE revealed an abundance of Reliculitermes malletei(novum nudum) and comparatively fewer R.flavipies(Kollar). Reasons for this distribution were unknown, leading to investigations of the interactions between species to better explain their distribution in this region.Inter-species aggression between both species was analyzed in Petri-dish arenas in June 2005 and 2006. Termites from the field site were collected just prior to each year of the study. Through 5 minute observations every 15 minutes for the period of 1hr, several behaviors were recorded: running in circles, obvious avoidance, biting, touching of antennae, and shaking. Aggression in the form of biting and obvious avoidance was seen between termites of opposing species; whereas non-aggressive behavior was observed in termites of the same species.


Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes flavipes
Species 2: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes malletei

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COMMENTS AND CORRECTIONS

  • From gabriel dinu, mr, valley view university, October 20, 2008
    what is the difference between inter and intra species of aggression?

  • From Lewis Pritchett, Owner, June 15, 2011
    I found swarmers of reticulitermes malletei (they were identified by the University of Georgia Entomology department)in an apartment complex in Athens Georgia. I found them on the fifth floor. Will they be located in the same areas as Easterns? By the way, the building is only three years old.