Effect of moisture and two nitrogen sources on nest site choice by alates and dealates of Coptotermes formosanus in the laboratory (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae)

We examined the effect of moisture and two chemical additives, urea and L-g lutamic acid on the nest site choice of alates and dealates of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in the laboratory. Nest-founding C. formosanus preferred sites with high moisture availability to sites lacking moisture. Only 4% o f adults were collected in sites lacking moisture, whereas, 96% chose moist sites. The additive urea did not significantly increase nest site preferen ce of alates and dealates compared to the control. L-glutamic acid appears to have an inhibitory effect on nest site choice by alates and dealates. We conclude that moisture is a precondition for infestation initiated by pote ntial queens and kings. However, nitrogenous compounds, in particular urea and L-glutamic acid, in the substrate did not appear to increase nest site preference.