A NEW METHOD OF TRAPPING SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES OF THE GENUS COPTOTERMES (ISOPTERA, RHINOTERMITIDAE) FOR FIELD AND LABORATORY EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES

The use of corrugated cardboard strips as simple, flexible conduits fo r leading subterranean termites of the genus Coptotermes from existing infestations into baited receptacles is described. Cardboard strips, cut such that the internal grooves run parallel to the long edge of th e strip, provide channels through which termites could readily move. T hese were dampened and fastened to infestations on stumps, trees or lo gs and led to cardboard filled receptacles sealed with aluminum foil, placed on or just below the surface of the ground. The technique can b e applied to collect termites for laboratory studies or to conduct fie ld evaluation of termite responses to different wood species or differ ent wood preservatives. It would be equally useful in behavioral and e cological studies on termite feeding behavior. The technique combines versatility and ease of use, and proved to be consistently effective i n rapidly initiating infestations within the receptacles, even when on ly a small number of soldiers were seen in the original infestation. I t enables termites to be tapped from infestations that would not be ac cessible to other techniques, and eliminates the problem of chance enc ounter associated with placing baits close to termite sources.