Use of Baits for the Evaluation of Underground Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Different Habitats of the Southern Amazon Region

Abstract

We investigated the effect of land use on the occurrence of termites during the rainy season in the southern Amazon region. We used Termitrap®-style cardboard baits to sample the termites in soils dominated by Marandu (Urochloa brizantha cv. 'Marandu' (Rich.) Webster; Poaceae) grassland, Mombasa (Panicum maximum cv. 'Mombasa' Jacq.; Poaceae) grassland, coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner; Rubiaceae), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.; Fabaceae), or native forest. Five plots were randomly distributed in each area, and each plot contained 9 termite baits. At 45 d after introduction of the traps, the termites were collected, the species were identified, and the level of infestation (percentage of traps with termites) was determined. The areas with Mombasa, coffee, and native forest displayed the highest levels of termite infestation: 35.55, 29.36, and 23.47%, respectively. The areas cultivated with soybean and Marandu had lower levels of infestation: 2.50 and 2.22%, respectively. The baits seemed to be effective at monitoring the species Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) and Nasutitermes sp. (both Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae).