Foraging activity and population density for different castes individuals of subterranean termite, Amitermes desertorum (Desenux) (Isoptera: Termitidae) at Aswan governorate, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

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Agric. Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Subterranean termite, Amitermes desertorum, infested several species of wood and fruit trees which were widely planted in different region of Egyptian environmental. The different caste individuals of Amitermes desertorum termite were fluctuated according to foraging activity which was a variable by many factors of different environmental conditions.
Monthly population of different castes individuals demonstrated that the workers caste recorded the highest number (5632workers) during August, while the minimum number (487workers) observed during January; the highest number of each nymphs, soldiers and winged adults recorded during August (1276 nymphs), May (386 soldiers) and August (1160 winged adults) respectively, while the minimum number of each nymphs and winged adults recorded 153 and 75 individuals respectively during January, whereas soldier caste recorded 116 during October.
Total numbers and percentages for caste individuals collecting from traps during different months detected that the highest percentage reached 20.01% during August, while the minimum percentage was 2.1% during January, the ranges of annul monthly percentages varied for different castes through the different months, they recorded 1.77% (January) -20.44% (August) for workers, 2.51% (January) -20.89% (August) for nymphs, 3.9% (October) - 12.99% (May) for soldiers and 1.34% (January) -20.73%(August) for winged adults.
The relation between workers and soldiers castes showed that the ratio of soldiers / 1000 workers represented 97.34%.
Positive significant correlation between each of air & soil temperature and population of termite caste individuals. The correlation was positive and insignificant with wind speed while the correlation was negative and insignificant with RH%.

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