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Articles

Feeding preferences of Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) (Isoptera: Termitidae) on different commercial and non-commercial woods from Lahore, Pakistan, under laboratory and field conditions

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Pages 369-379 | Received 06 Dec 2013, Accepted 25 Sep 2014, Published online: 27 Oct 2014
 

Abstract

Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) is a widespread termite species in South Asia causing significant losses annually. Feeding preferences of O. obesus among 18 different wood species were studied in choice and no-choice bioassays conducted under laboratory and field conditions. Weight losses, wood consumption per individual, and survival rate were determined to evaluate feeding preferences of O. obesus. Populus euramericana and Tectona grandis were found to be the most susceptible and resistant woods, respectively. Nine different wood combinations were used in the bioassay under choice laboratory conditions. The maximum feeding of termites was recorded on M. indica and P. euramericana, whereas the minimum was noted on T. grandis and B. bamboo (2.06 and 43.9 mg), respectively. Under no-choice field conditions, the minimum feeding was recorded on T. grandis (8.9 mg) and the maximum on P. euramericana (47.9 mg). Under choice field conditions, O. obesus showed the maximum (82.6 mg) feeding on P. euramericana and the minimum on T. grandis. Feeding propensity in descending order of preference based on wood consumption as a quantitative parameter was recorded as follows: P. euramericana > C. fistula > A. excelsa > A. indica > H. adenophyllum > B. variegata > E. camaldulensis > P. roxburghii > S. cumini > A. lebbeck > B. monosperma > M. indica > M. alba > D. sissoo > J. mimosifolia > E. subrosa > B. bamboo > T. grandis, respectively.

Termitai Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) yra Pietų Azijoje paplitusi rūšis, dėl kurios kasmet registruojami dideli nuostoliai. Buvo tiriama O. obesus mityba aštuoniolikos rūšių mediena. Laboratorijos ir lauko sąlygomis termitai galėjo rinktis iš dviejų ar daugiau medienos rūšių (choice test) arba jiems buvo duodama tik vienos rūšies mediena (no-choice test). Buvo įvertintas medienos svorio sumažėjimas, vienam individui tenkantis medienos suvartojimas ir termitų išgyvenimas. Nustatyta, kad termitai labiausiai pažeidžia Populus euramericana, atspariausia yra Tectona grandis mediena. Vertinant medienos tinkamumą mitybai, laboratorijos sąlygomis buvo ištirti devyni galimi pasirinkimai. Termitai daugiausiai sugraužė M. indica ir P. euramericana, mažiausiai – T. grandis ir B. bamboo (atitinkamai 2,06 ir 43,9 mg) medienos. Lauko sąlygomis maitinant tik vienos rūšies mediena, mažiausiai suvartota T. grandis (8,9 mg), daugiausiai – P. euramericana (47,9 mg). Sudarius galimybę rinktis, lauko sąlygomis O. obesus daugiausiai mito P. euramericana (82,6 mg), mažiausiai – T. grandis mediena. Vertinant pagal medienos suvartojimą, nustatytas toks O. obesus mitybos objektų pasirinkimas: P. euramericana > C. fistula > A. excelsa > A. indica > H. adenophyllum > B. variegata > E. camaldulensis > P. roxburghii > S. cumini > A. lebbeck > B. monosperma > M. Indica > M. alba > D. sissoo > J. mimosifolia > E. subrosa > B. bamboo > T. grandis.

Acknowledgements

The grant for this work was provided by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF). It is fully acknowledged and appreciated.

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