Foraging population and territory estimates for Microcerotermes diversus (Isoptera: Termitidae) through mark-release-recapture in Ahwaz (Khouzestan, Iran)

Abstract

Microcerotermes diversus Silvestri (Isoptera: Termitidae), an important pest in Ahwaz (Khouzestan, Iran), causes serious economic damage to wooden products in buildings. In this study, we determined the foraging populations and territories of this species using mark-release-recapture techniques. Based on both the weighted mean model and Lincoln index methods, mean termite foraging population estimates for two colonies, A and B, were 2,984,489 ± 258,802 and 326,134 ± 8,713, respectively. Estimates with the Lincoln index were 2,731,229 ± 813,081 for colony A and 321,493 ± 138,499 for colony B. Estimated horizontal foraging territories for colonies A and B were 25.59 and 44.16 m2, respectively. The maximum and minimum linear foraging distances were 5.40 and 2.14 m for colony A and 9.14 and 1.86 m for colony B, respectively. Our data expand the knowledge about the biology, ecology and behavior of M. diversus. © 2010 Entomological Society of America.