Effect of temperature and substrate moisture on group survival of Constrictotermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) under laboratory conditions

Laboratory bioassays should be performed under appropriate conditions that minimize stress and promote greater longevity to tested animals. For social insects, for instance, the stress triggered by removal individuals from nests may result in changes in their survival and behavior. Here we analyzed...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dinamarta V. Ferreira, Joseane S. Cruz, Jailton J.M. Sacramento, Marcos Leandro C. Rocha, Paulo F. Cristaldo, Ana Paula A. Araújo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Entomologia 2019-01-01
Series:Revista Brasileira de Entomologia
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0085562618301766
Description
Summary:Laboratory bioassays should be performed under appropriate conditions that minimize stress and promote greater longevity to tested animals. For social insects, for instance, the stress triggered by removal individuals from nests may result in changes in their survival and behavior. Here we analyzed the effects of variations of different combinations of temperature and substrate moisture (mL of water/g of nest substrate) on group survival of Constrictotermes sp. (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). In general, lower substrate moisture resulted in faster mortality. On the other hand, groups survival longer at a temperature of 26 °C and under higher substrate moisture (2–3 mL/7 g of nest substrate). The result of this study may contribute to the establishment of bioassay protocols performed with Constrictotermes sp. in the laboratory. Keywords: Bioassays, Mortality, Termite
ISSN:0085-5626