TERMITES OF ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE IN SUBURBAN PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THEIR DISTRIBUTION AND ASSOCIATION WITH TYPES OF WOOD (ISOPTERA)

Abstract

A survey of termites carried out by pest control operators in metropolitan Perth yielded 4 species: Coptotermes michaelseni Silvestri, C. acinaciformis raffrayi Wassmann, Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) and Heterotermes platycephalus Froggatt. The first 2 species were the most frequently collected and therefore of the most likely economic significance. No significant differences between the incidence of the two commonest species in relation to average annual rainfall or soil type were found. Most termite damage was recorded in outdoor situations. Hardwoods were more frequently infested than softwoods. Copyright © 1991, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved