Influence of seasonal changes, weather factors and soil depth on the foraging activities of subterranean termites in Euc
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Influence of seasonal changes, weather factors and soil depth on the foraging activities of subterranean termites in Eucalyptus plantations O. T. Alamu 1
&
F. K. Ewete 2
Received: 1 August 2019 / Accepted: 6 October 2020 # African Association of Insect Scientists 2020
Abstract Eucalyptus tree is an important exotic species used for building construction, environmental amelioration and ornamental purposes in the tropics. However, termites cause a great damage and high mortality to seedlings and saplings of Eucalyptus in the field. Information on critical period and soil depth of termite foraging activities is required to formulate effective management programme. In this study, the critical foraging period and depth in the soil of subterranean termites in four different Eucalyptus species plantations was determined using the indices of percentages of baits attacked and consumed at in ground monitoring stations. The results showed that the highest and lowest percentages of baits attacked and consumed by termites were recorded in the months of February–April and August–October, respectively in all Eucalyptus plantations investigated. The critical depth of foraging activities recorded during the months of February–April was from 10 to 40 cm below the soil level as more than 50% and 40% of baits were attacked and consumed, respectively. Bait consumption by termites correlated significantly and positively with mean monthly temperature but correlated negatively and significantly with relative humidity and rainfall. This information on the critical season and depth of termite activities in the soil and as well the influence of weather factors on termite activities should be considered in the formulation of appropriate and effective termite management programme in the establishment of Eucalyptus plantation. Keywords Bait . Subterranean termite . Foraging activities . Critical periods . Soil depth . Termite management
Introduction Tree plantation establishment in the tropics is one of the ways of ameliorating the effects of environmental degradation and also enhances the welfare of rural and urban dwellers (Mbow et al. 2014). In Africa, more than 800 indigenous tree species have been documented to contribute significantly to food security (Linder 2014; Slik et al. 2015). Some of the indigenous tree species in Africa and Nigeria, in particular include Milicia excelsa, Entandrophragma spp., Khaya senegalensis, Khaya grandifolia, Mansonia altissima, Albizia zygia and Afzelia
* O. T. Alamu [email protected]; [email protected] 1
Department of Forest Conservation and Protection, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria
2
Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
africana and many others (Onefeli and Adesoye 2014). These tree species contribute largely to the economy of African countries as they produce highly valued timber products. The high demand for indigenous species products over the supply and it’s ever increasing
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