Monday, December 11, 2006
D0121

Relationship of detection station size and food volume to initial visitation by termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Greg H. Broussard, osubroo@yahoo.com1, Anita L. Smith1, Matthew P. Smith1, Brad Kard1, and Kenneth S. Brown, kennesb04@yahoo.com2. (1) Oklahoma State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 127 Noble Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, (2) City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board, 6601 Stars and Stripes Blvd, New Orleans, LA

Termites are damaging structural pests in the United States and play an important role in many ecosystems. Recent increases in the use of more directed termite control techniques have helped to renew an interest in basic termite ecology. A study was conducted on an Oklahoma native tallgrass prairie to investigate termite foraging behavior relative to monitoring station diameter and food source volumes. This study was installed in a split-block design and evaluated weekly. In this ongoing study, initial data indicate an increased number of larger diameter stations become active with termites compared with smaller diameter stations.



Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes flavipes (eastern subterranean termite)