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Survey of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in a managed silvicultural plantation in Portugal, using a line-intersection method (LIS)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2008

T. Nobre ,
L. Nunes  and
D.E. Bignell
T. Nobre
Affiliation:
Queen Mary, University of London, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, London, UK Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil, Núcleo de Estruturas de Madeira, Avenida do Brasil, 101, 1700-066 Lisboa, Portugal
L. Nunes*
Affiliation:
Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil, Núcleo de Estruturas de Madeira, Avenida do Brasil, 101, 1700-066 Lisboa, Portugal
D.E. Bignell
Affiliation:
Queen Mary, University of London, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, London, UK
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: +351 21 844 3659 E-mail: linanunes@lnec.pt
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Abstract

Subterranean termites (Reticulitermes grassei) were surveyed over successive seasons in a managed eucalyptus plantation in southeastern Portugal for 26 months. Termite activity in seven diameter categories of lying dead wood was investigated by a modified line intersection method (LIS). Each item sampled was inspected and assessed for termite attack and for general (i.e. fungal) decay status using standard protocols. Line intersection is quantitative to the extent that it can link foraging and decay parameters to woody biovolume. It was found that termites selected items with larger diameter, the observed trend showing an exponential character with greater termite attack as diameter increased. Attack by termites was positively associated with prior decay by fungi. A clear positive relationship was shown between rainfall and total woody biovolume containing live termites, underlining the importance of moisture for termite activity. Subterranean termites appeared to be important wood decomposers in the woodland studied, with an average of 30% of lying dead wood branches showing signs of termite attack.

Keywords

Reticulitermes grasseiforestwood decompositionwood decaytermite attack
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 99 , Issue 1 , February 2009 , pp. 11 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

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