The caste system of Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Coptotermes gestroi is an oriental species introduced to Brazil and considered, in the São Paulo State area, one of the most economically important pests. Although there are a few works concerning the basic biology of this species, its post-embryonic development has been poorly studied. The aim of the present research was to study the post-embryonic development of C. gestroi for a better knowledge of the caste system in this termite. The post-embryonic development of C. gestroi starts with two larval instars of whitish appearance and different sizes. A separation of the neutral and imaginal developmental pathways occurs following the second larval instar. The second-instar larva originates alates after six molts. The worker caste presents five instars and also develops from the second larval instar. Soldiers develop from younger workers in laboratory colonies and from older workers in field colonies.

Foraging activity and demographic patterns of two termite species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) living in urban landscapes in southeastern Brazil

Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rbinotermitidae) are important pests in southeastern Brazil causing serious economic damage. In this study we determined the demographic patterns and foraging activity of these species using mark-release-recapture and the consumption of wooden stakes. Using both the weighted mean and Lincoln index methods, population estimates ranged from ≈ 0.57 to 1.99 million individuals for C. gestroi and from ≈ 0.20 to 1.37 million for H. tenuis. Territory size of the colonies ranged from 172.5 to 5235 m 2 for C. gestroi and from 16 to 40 m 2 for H. tenuis. Our results also indicate that foraging activity was dependent on the minimum temperature; however, the existence of a compensation strategy in the foraging activities may permit foragers to exploit food sources under different environmental conditions.

Interspecific interactions between Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) under laboratory conditions

Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis are termite pests. Both species have cryptic habits, and are known as subterranean termites. The aim of this study was to verify if food availability and alterations in the proportion of soldiers interfere in the interactions between these termites, since the introduced species C. gestroi occupies the same niche as the native species H. tenuis. Different bioassays were conducted in order to evaluate these interspecific interactions. The results showed that C. gestroi presented advantages in the occupation of territory in all bioassays and suggest a higher efficiency of this species in the search for alternative food sources, especially when the number of soldiers was higher than that of H. tenuis. Additionally, it is possible to conclude that food availability and the different proportion of soldiers involved in the interspecific confrontations interfere in the occupation of territory and in the agonistic behavior between these two species of termites.

Biological activity of limonoids from meliaceae against a subterranean termite (Heterotermes tenuis) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Recent studies, proposed to obtain active compounds against termites (Heterotermes tenuis Hagen, as a model) have showed that attention could be driven to the limonoids, because they present high insecticidal activity against several insects. In this work, the limonoids nimbolin-A, 1,2- hydroxyamoorastatone, mexicanolide, cedrelone and 1,2-dihydrocedrelone were tested in order to verify their potential for the control of H. tenuis workers. The results indicated that cedrelone and 1,2-dihydrocedrelone are the limonoids with higher antifeeding activity, followed by 12-hydroxyamoorastatone, mexicanolide and nimbolin-A.

Laboratory assessment of two active ingredients for control of coptotemes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

The subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is a pest of major economic importance in urban environments of southeastern Brazil. Compared to using pesticides for termite control, termite bait products target termites more specifically and also address environmental contamination issues. In this point of view, we performed two different bioassays in order to evaluate the efficacy of boric acid and fipronil against different populations of C. gestroi. The results showed that concentrations between 2000 and 3000 ppm of boric acid caused approximately 100 percent mortality in termites. Concentrations between 0.01 and 0.0001 ppm of fipronil resulted in 100% termite mortality after 2 wk exposure. The data displayed a fast mortality of termites contaminated with fipronil, even with small concentrations, and therefore it is not a suitable product to be used in baits against C. gestroi. The present study showed a delayed toxicity of boric acid against the subterranean termite C. gestroi which suggests a need for further field tests.

Dynamics of foraging and recruitment behavior in the Asian subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Rhinotermitidae)

The present study investigated the trail-following behavior of the subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann Rhinotermitidae) under laboratory conditions. The results showed that workers were the first to initiate the exploration to the food source. When food was discovered they returned to the nest laying a trail for recruiting nestmates to the food source. In this situation, workers always traveled significantly faster when returning from the arenas. Both workers and soldiers were recruited to the food source; however, the soldier/worker proportion was higher during the first phase of the recruitment. When no food was available, the number of recruited nestmates and the speed on their way back to the nest were significantly lower. The results also showed that scout foragers always laid trail pheromones when entering into unknown territories, and that chemical signals found in the food could induce workers of C. gestroi to increase their travel speed. Copyright © 2012 Alberto Arab et al.

Ontogenia da casta de soldados no cupim praga Heterotermoes tenuis (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Toxicidade de produtos sintetizados a partir de extratos de plantas e do bistrifluron para o cupim subterrâneo Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann, 1896) (Isoptera; Rhinotermitidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ninfas em populações forrageiras do cupim Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Seleção de substratos celulósicos atrativos para o cupim Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Seleção de ingredientes ativos para o controle do cupim subterrâneo Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Pontos polêmicos acerca do forrageamento de cupins subterrâneos (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): consumo de alimentos similares, reutilização de iscas e tunelamento em solos não uniformes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae): dinâmica de colônias inteiras, necessidades hídricas e alocação de castas entre diferentes fontes alimentares

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Foraging in subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): how do Heterotermes tenuis and Coptotermes gestroi behave when they locate equivalent food resources?

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae): revisão da distribuição geográfica, danos e análise de sobrevivência após exposição a bambu termorretificado

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)