Zeitschrift für Biodiversität, Bioprospektion und Entwicklung

Potential Phagostimulants for the Subterranean Termite, Microtermes obesi (Blattodea: Termitidae)

Abstract

Abdul Sattar, Muhammad Naeem, Ehsan ul Haq, Ata ul Mohsin

Glucose, yeast, urea, and poplar sawdust extract were tested for their phagostimulant properties on the subterranean termite, Microtermes obesi Holmgren (Blattodea: Termitidae). Termites were attracted to all of the compounds tested and they survived for a long period of time. The maximum percent survival was 4% for glucose, 1% for yeast, and 4% for urea. The highest consumption was for a bait having 4% glucose, followed by 3% yeast, 3% urea, and distilled water, respectively. Maximum termite survival was for filter papers soaked in an extract of poplar sawdust that had been boiled for 25 min, followed by filter paper soaked in sawdust extract boiled for 20, 15, and 10 min respectively. Lower survival of termites was recorded on filter paper that was soaked in sawdust extract that had not been boiled. Maximum bait consumption also was found for filter paper soaked in poplar sawdust extract that had been boiled for 25 min; whereas lower consumption was found for sawdust extract that had not been boiled.