INCIDENCE OF FEEDING BY THE EASTERN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE (ISOPTERA, RHINOTERMITIDAE) IN LABORATORY BIOASSAY

Eastern subterranean termite workers were fed cellulose mixed with a f luorescent pigment, in a series of bioassays, to assess the incidence of feeding. The fluorescent pigment was retained within the alimentary tract and was visible through the insects cuticle. Termites that were provided pigmented cellulose ad libitum for 10 consecutive days showe d that 55.6%+/-14.4 (range 16-96%) of the termites had pigmented alime ntary tracts on any given day. In tests where termites were provided p igmented cellulose for 24h then removed to feed on unpigmented cellulo se, 26.6% retained pigment in the alimentary tract 48h later and 4.8% after 72h. In transfer assays, pigment was transferred to 7% of the re cipient termites after 24h. The incidence of individual termite feedin g over a 7 day period varied with 9% of the termites never showing pig ment and 56% showing continually pigmented alimentary tracts. These te sts demonstrate that the incidence of feeding by individual termites i s not predictable and the implications of this feeding behavior on ter mite bait efficacy is discussed.