Use of baits for the evaluation of underground termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in different habitats of the southern Amazon region
Abstract
We investigated the effect of land use on the occurrence of termites during the rainy season in the southern Amazon region. We used Termitrap®-style cardboard baits to sample the termites in soils dominated by Marandu (Urochloa brizantha cv. ‘Marandu’ (Rich.) Webster; Poaceae) grassland, Mombasa (Panicum maximum cv. ‘Mombasa’ Jacq.; Poaceae) grassland, coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner; Rubiaceae), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.; Fabaceae), or native forest. Five plots were randomly distributed in each area, and each plot contained 9 termite baits. At 45 d after introduction of the traps, the termites were collected, the species were identified, and the level of infestation (percentage of traps with termites) was determined. The areas with Mombasa, coffee, and native forest displayed the highest levels of termite infestation: 35.55, 29.36, and 23.47%, respectively. The areas cultivated with soybean and Marandu had lower levels of infestation: 2.50 and 2.22%, respectively. The baits seemed to be effective at monitoring the species Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) and Nasutitermes sp. (both Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae).
Resumen
Nós investigamos o efeito do uso da terra na ocorrência de cupins durante a estação chuvosa na região sul da Amazônia. Usamos iscas de papelão Termitrap® para amostrar os cupins em solos dominados por pastagem Marandu (Urochloa brizantha cv. ‘Marandu’ (Rich.) Webster; Poaceae), pastagem Mombaça (Panicum maximum cv. ‘Mombasa’ Jacq.; Poaceae), café (Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner; Rubiaceae), soja (Glycine max (L.) Merr.; Fabaceae), ou foresta nativa. Cinco parcelas foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em cada área, e cada parcela continha 9 iscas de cupins. Aos 45 dias após a introdução das armadilhas, os cupins foram coletados, as espécies foram identificadas e determinou-se o nível de infestação (porcentagem de armadilhas com cupins). As áreas com Mombaça, café e mata nativa apresentaram os maiores níveis de infestação de cupins: 35,55; 29,36; e 23,47%, respectivamente. As áreas cultivadas com soja e Marandu apresentaram menores níveis de infestação: 2,50 e 2,22%, respectivamente. As iscas pareciam ser eficazes no monitoramento das espécies Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) e Nasutitermes sp. (ambos Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae).
Key Words: cardboard; Heterotermes tenuis; infestation; trap
View this article in BioOne
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright for any article published in Florida Entomologist is held by the author(s) of the article. Florida Entomologist is an open access journal. Florida Entomologist follows terms of the Creative Commons, Attribution Non-Commercial License (cc by-nc). By submitting and publishing articles in Florida Entomologist, authors grant the FOJ and Florida Entomologist's host institutions permission to make the article available through Internet posting and electronic dissemination, and to otherwise archive the information contained both electronically and in a hard printed version. When used, information and images obtained from articles must be referenced and cited appropriately. Articles may be reproduced for personal, educational, or archival purposes, or any non-commercial use. Permission should be sought from the author(s) for multiple, non-commercial reproduction. Written permission from the author(s) is required for any commercial reproduction.