Effects of sugar-treated foods on preference and nitrogen fixation in Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

Information on feeding by subterranean termites is important because of their status as major pests in urban areas and their roles in forest nutrient cycles, in which they degrade wood litter and fix nitrogen. We examined the response of the subterranean termites Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to sugar solutions of glucose, xylose, and sucrose in laboratory experiments. Termites consumed more filter paper treated with 1 or 3% (wt:vol) sugar solutions than water-treated paper in choice tests. No-choice diets of sugar-treated filter paper had little effect on termite survivorship, live or dry biomass, or rates of nitrogen fixation.