Effects of oil-based paint marking on the foraging behavior of Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-14-2010

Abstract

Marking insects as individuals to unravel foraging decisions revolutionized the field of ethology. Marking termites, however, is more difficult than marking ants, bees, or wasps because of their small size and soft cuticle. An oil-based paint containing xylene was used to mark the bodies of individual Coptotermes Formosanus workers and soldiers to track individual forager movement. Termites were observed and tracked using a video camera while traveling to and from food sources for a one hour period. The amount of paint coverage was found to affect forager movements. Termites with SMALL (25% or less) total dorsal paint coverage were found to travel between feeding and release chambers significantly more often than termites with MEDIUM (26% to 74%) or FULL (75% or more) paint coverage. For behavioral studies of termite foraging, it is recommended that dorsal paint coverage be kept to a minimum.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Sociobiology

First Page

369

Last Page

378

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