Lack of preference by Reticulitermes spp. (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae) fortermite feeding stations with previous termite exposure

Baiting control strategies for population management of subterranean termit es requires feeding at either detection, monitoring, or bait stations. We t ested the hypothesis that previous inter- or intraspecific termite feeding on cardboard baits would not influence subterranean termite feeding at a st ation. Feeding sites, consisting of 50-ml plastic-lidded centrifuge tubes c ontaining corrugated cardboard with and without previous termite exposure w ere tested for acceptance by worker termites from three populations of Reti culitermes flavipes (Kollar) or Reticulitermes virginicus Banks in a choice feeding assay. Termites were given a choice of four feeding stations that were either previously exposed to nestmates, conspecifics, allospecifics, o r that had no previous termite contact. Differences in corrugated cardboard consumption rates among treatments were used as a measure of feeding-site preference. There were no statistically significant differences in mean cor rugated cardboard consumption rates among treatments for either species. Ye t, these studies indicate the need to more closely examine the feeding site selection process in subterranean termites.