烯啶虫胺肠衣饵剂对黑翅土白蚁的防治效果

[目的]为了开发一种高效环保型白蚁饵剂.[方法]选定烯啶虫胺和溴虫腈对黑翅土白蚁Odontotermes formosanus进行室内毒力测定,根据室内毒力测定结果筛选毒力较高药剂进行驱避试验,并制备3种不同剂量的肠衣饵剂,开展室内白蚁毒杀效果试验和园林白蚁防治效果试验;选用合适剂量肠衣饵剂进行堤坝黑翅土白蚁诱杀试验,并用挖巢法检测肠衣饵剂对堤坝黑翅土白蚁的诱杀效果.[结果]1.6tg/mL烯啶虫胺处理黑翅土白蚁72 h后校正死亡率达100％,16 μtg/mL溴虫腈处理72 h后黑翅土白蚁校正死亡率也达到100％.室内毒力测定结果表明烯啶虫胺对黑翅土白蚁的LC5o值低于溴虫腈,100 μtg/mL烯啶虫胺处理8h后对黑翅土白蚁无显著驱避作用.3种剂量烯啶虫胺肠衣饵剂处理72 h后,黑翅土白蚁校正死亡率均在60％以上.将不同剂量的烯啶虫胺肠衣饵剂投放到园林中45 d后,肠衣饵剂基本被食空,施药点周围无白蚁及活动迹象.在福建省水库大坝周围投放60 μtg/g烯啶虫胺肠衣饵剂,3个月后肠衣饵剂未发霉且基本被食空,6个月后挖巢发现蚁道内无黑翅土白蚁活动,白蚁巢体出现死亡和坍塌情况.[结论]60 μg/g烯啶虫胺肠衣饵剂对园林和堤坝中的黑翅土白蚁具有良好的诱杀效果,是一种高效环保型白蚁肠衣饵剂.     

白蚁防治中引诱技术的应用

白蚁是一类危害面广、破坏性极大的世界性害虫。利用各种防治技术控制白蚁危害由来已久,引诱技术乃其中一种。采用引诱技术具有防治成本低、针对性强、效果显著、对生态环境破坏性小等优点。白蚁是社会性昆虫,其行为有利于我们采用引诱技术实施防治。引诱技术包括饵诱法、信息素引诱法、灯诱法等具体方法,本文主要介绍饵诱法和信息素引诱法应用情况及研究进展。１饵诱法食物引诱是最古老、最简单易行的引诱方法。其采用３种方式：（１）诱集．杀灭：在白蚁活动区域设置白蚁喜食饵料（堆、坑）诱其前来取食,然后用烫、烧、踩、喂鸡和药杀…     

三种天然饵料对两种白蚁的野外诱食效果

为筛选一种容易取材、价格低廉且诱食效果较佳的天然饵料,在野外测定了隆缘桉树皮、杉树皮和甘蔗渣三种饵料对黑翅土白蚁和黄翅大白蚁的诱食效果。结果表明在非选择性取食试验中,桉树皮、杉树皮和甘蔗渣在埋插后15 d的诱食率为84.26%、77.78%和8.33%;在选择性取食试验中,桉树皮、杉树皮和甘蔗渣在埋插后15 d的诱食率为87.04%、81.48%和9.26%。在两种试验条件下,桉树皮和杉树皮对两种白蚁均有较好的诱食效果,且两者之间的差异不显著,甘蔗渣对两种白蚁的诱食效果较差。     

台湾乳白蚁和黄胸散白蚁对三种饵剂的嗅觉行为反应

利用“Y”型嗅觉仪,测定了台湾乳白蚁Coptotermesformosanus和黄胸散白蚁Reticulitermesflaviceps对灭蚁灵,氟虫胺,氟铃脲等3种饵剂在不同浓度下的嗅觉行为反应。结果表明2种白蚁对0. 2 5和0 . 5 %灭蚁灵;0 .2 5 ,0 .75和1 %氟虫胺;0 . 5 %氟铃脲均具有明显的趋性,且趋性差异不显著。因此,可将氟虫胺及氟铃脲作为灭蚁灵的替代品来防治白蚁。此外,台湾乳白蚁对1 %灭蚁灵,0 . 5 %氟虫胺,1 %氟铃脲具忌避性;而黄胸散白蚁对0 . 75和1 %灭蚁灵;0. 2 5 ,0. 75和1 %氟铃脲具忌避性,表明2种白蚁对饵剂的嗅觉反应既有相似性,又有不同点;台湾乳白蚁产生趋性的饵剂浓度大于黄胸散白蚁。因此用饵剂防治白蚁时,需根据不同种类的白蚁,采用不同的浓度进行防治。     

黑胸散白蚁和台湾乳白蚁对镇江地区几种常见木材品种的取食偏好性研究

【目的】本文研究了黑胸散白蚁Reticulitermes chinensis和台湾乳白蚁Coptotermes formosanus对镇江几种常见木材树种的取食偏好性,分析了白蚁种类和木材品种对白蚁取食偏好性和死亡率的影响,以期为本地区白蚁治理及预防提供科学依据。【方法】采取白蚁非选择性取食试验,研究两种白蚁分别取食香樟Cinnamonum campora、银杏Ginkgo biloba、水杉Metasequoia glyptostrodoides、垂柳Salix babylonica、广玉兰Magnolia grandiflora、枇杷树Eriobotrya japonica、马尾松Pinus massoniana 7种树种食料的取食偏好和死亡率,取食偏好采用白蚁取食率,即每克白蚁每天取食量(mg)评价。试验数据采用多因素方差分析。【结果】方差分析结果表明,白蚁种类和不同木材对白蚁取食率和死亡率均影响显著。在供试的7种木材中,黑胸散白蚁最喜食垂柳和马尾松,其取食率分别为31.46和30.59 mg;台湾乳白蚁最喜食马尾松、水杉和银杏,其取食率分别为26.53、21.82和21.81 mg。两种白蚁对银杏、垂柳、广玉兰这3种木材的取食率有显著差异,而对其他4种木材的取食率差异不显著。【结论】白蚁取食率和死亡率受白蚁种类和木材品种影响明显。7种供试木材中,两种白蚁都对马尾松显示出明显偏好,且死亡率最低。     

黑胸散白蚁取食群体大小与活动范围研究

为明确黑胸散白蚁Reticulitermes chinensis在绿地取食群体大小与活动范围,选取白蚁活动频繁、数量较多的5个诱集点进行研究。试验采用三重标记重捕法,染色标记物为0.2%耐尔兰滤纸(wt/wt)。经统计和测量发现,诱集点A、B、C和D处的取食个体数量分别为78.8、11.3、21.4和8.3万头,距诱集箱的最大取食直线距离分别为11.8 m(A)、5.5 m(B)和2.3 m(D)。由于C点的3次重捕均在诱集箱处完成,因此未能获得该白蚁群体的活动范围数据。而在诱集点E处,2次释放(诱集箱和7号饵站)均未能在释放点和周围饵站内重捕到标记白蚁。黑胸散白蚁4个群体的取食群体数量为8-79万头,连续监测30 d,其距诱集箱的取食直线距离为0-12 m,而实际群体数量和活动范围均大于试验中所得的数据。     

白蚁活动对中亚热带次生林和人工林的危害差异

中亚热带地区是中国南方重要的木材生产基地, 大量的地带性常绿阔叶林被转换成以杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)为代表的人工林。白蚁是森林中最主要的社会性昆虫之一, 其取食行为既对森林类型转换后林中的树木产生危害, 也对林间枯枝落叶的分解具有十分重要的意义, 但对二者缺乏统一的认识。本文以中亚热带典型的米槠(Castanopsis carlesii)次生林、米槠人工林和杉木人工林为研究对象, 调查了不同林分白蚁的活动特点及其范围。结果表明, 米槠次生林与杉木、米槠人工林中均普遍存在白蚁取食现象, 但白蚁对次生林的取食高度和面积均远低于人工林。白蚁对生物多样性较高的米槠次生林树干韧皮部的取食面积仅分别为米槠人工林的1.65%和杉木人工林的0.59‰, 取食高度的11.1%和1.2%。同时, 白蚁对杉木韧皮部的取食显著大于米槠, 对杉木的取食面积和高度分别是米槠的27.7倍和9.2倍。每隔0.5 m为一个统计区间, 白蚁对杉木树干2 m以下韧皮部取食面积比例由低往高为4 : 3 : 2 : 1, 对米槠1 m以下高度部位的取食面积比为99 : 1。此外, 白蚁对次生林地表覆盖的凋落枝和凋落叶的平均取食面积分别为51.7%和46.1%, 而人工林对应均值分别为17.5%和29.4%, 均表现为次生林高于人工林。这些结果表明白蚁对生物多样性较高的次生林危害小于杉木人工林, 且在人工林中可见危害主要体现在白蚁对韧皮部的取食, 在次生林主要体现在白蚁对凋落物残体的分解作用, 这为区域森林经营管理提供理论支撑。     

培菌白蚁菌圃微生物降解木质纤维素的研究进展

白蚁及其共生微生物协同降解植物细胞壁的机理一直被世界各国科学家所关注。培菌白蚁作为高等白蚁,相比低等食木白蚁具有更多样化的食性,其利用外共生系统“菌圃”,对多种植物材料进行处理。本文综述了菌圃微生物降解木质纤维素的研究进展,以期为深入研究菌圃中木质纤维素降解过程及其机制,并挖掘利用菌圃降解木质纤维素的能力及仿生模拟菌圃开发新的生物质利用系统提供参考。培 菌白蚁在其巢内利用由植物材料修建的多孔海绵状结构——“菌圃”来培养共生真菌鸡枞菌Termitomyces spp.,形成了独特的木质纤维素食物降解和消化策略,使木质纤维素在培菌白蚁及其共生微生物协同作用下被逐步降解。幼年工蚁取食菌圃上的共生真菌菌丝组成的小白球和老年工蚁觅得食物并排出粪便堆积到菌圃上成为上层菌圃。这一过程中,被幼年工蚁取食的共生真菌释放木质素降解酶对包裹在植物多糖外部的木质素屏障进行解聚。菌圃微生物(包括共生真菌)对解聚的木质素基团进一步降解,将多糖长链或主链剪切成短链,使菌圃基质自下而上被逐步降解。最后下层的老熟菌圃被老年工蚁取食,其中肠的内源酶系及后肠微生物将这些短链进一步剪切和利用。因此,蚁巢菌圃及其微生物是培菌白蚁高效转化利用木质纤维素的基础。化学层面的研究表明,菌圃能够实现对植物次生物质解毒和植 物纤维化学结构解构。对共生真菌相关酶系的研究显示可能其在菌圃的植物纤维化学结构和植物次生物质的降解中发挥了作用,但不同属共生真菌间其效率和具体功能不尽相同。而菌圃中的细菌是否发挥了作用和哪些细菌类群发挥了作用等仍有待进一步的研究。相比于低等食木白蚁利用其后肠共生微生物降解木质纤维素,培菌白蚁利用菌圃降解木质纤维素具有非厌氧和能处理多种类型食物两大优势,仿生模拟菌圃降解木质纤维素的机制对林地表面枯枝落叶的资源化利用具有重要意义。     

四种植物精油对黑翅土白蚁触杀和驱避作用

为筛选出高效防治黑翅土白蚁的天然植物精油,减少有机合成农药的使用,该文研究了大蒜精油、肉桂油、丁香油和印楝素油四种植物精油对黑翅土白蚁的触杀效果和驱避作用。结果表明:大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油的浓度为5和10 mg·m L~(-1)时,处理2 h后,黑翅土白蚁的校正死亡率达100%,而相同浓度的印楝素油和对照处理的黑翅土白蚁校正死亡率低于5%。随着处理时间延长,浓度为1.25和2.5 mg·m L~(-1)的大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油处理6 h时,黑翅土白蚁的校正死亡率仍达100%,而此时对应的印楝素油和对照处理的黑翅土白蚁校正死亡率仅为10%,说明大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油对黑翅土白蚁具有较强的触杀效果。大蒜精油、丁香油和肉桂油在处理黑翅土白蚁2 h后LC_(50)值(半致死量)分别为1.572、1.05和1.03mg·m L~(-1),说明肉桂油对黑翅土白蚁的毒性相对最大,触杀效果最好。此外,10 mg·m L~(-1)的大蒜精油、肉桂油、丁香油和印楝素油的驱避试验表明,处理4、6、8和12 h后,大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油三精油处理区的黑翅土白蚁数均显著低于对照区的,驱避率总体93%,而对应的印楝素油的驱避率总体28.5%,表明大蒜精油、丁香油和肉桂油三种植物精油对黑翅土白蚁均有显著的驱避活性。综上可知,四种植物精油中大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油在防治黑翅土白蚁方面应用潜力很好,是开发绿色环保白蚁防治药剂的可选材料。     

曲酸对台湾乳白蚁纤维素酶活的抑制与应用研究

为了探究有害白蚁的安全防控新技术,本文研究了生物源活性物质曲酸对建筑结构主要害虫台湾乳白蚁纤维素酶活性的抑制效果。在室内条件下选择1%曲酸溶液滤纸饲喂白蚁,分别于饲喂6 h、12 h、1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d时收集白蚁消化道,采用还原糖法测定了白蚁消化道的滤纸酶活性(FPA)及内切β-1,4-葡聚糖酶(EG)、β-葡萄糖苷酶(BG)和纤维二糖水解酶(CBH)的比活力,并观测记录供试白蚁的体重与死亡率变化。结果显示,除6 h处理样的FPA和CBH活性影响不显著外,其余处理对白蚁纤维素酶活性均有显著的抑制作用,且随处理时间的延长曲酸对台湾乳白蚁纤维素酶活抑制率增强,抑制率显示FPAEG≥BGCBH。曲酸处理7d后,白蚁活动能力明显减弱,工蚁体重显著降低且死亡率显著升高。曲酸与氟虫脲联合喂食处理对台湾乳白蚁FPA和EG活性的抑制效果高于氟虫脲单独饲喂台湾乳白蚁,而且白蚁死亡率也显著提高。研究表明曲酸对于白蚁纤维素酶活性具有抑制效果,对于氟虫脲具增效作用,可为白蚁治理新技术的研究提供参考。     

Sampling subterranean termite species diversity and activity in tropical savannas: an assessment of different bait choices

Abstract.  1. Cellulose baits are commonly used for semi-quantitative sampling of subterranean wood-feeding termites, with a single food choice sampling programme implemented most often. In most situations, however, the composition and feeding preferences of the subterranean termite assemblage remain unknown.
2. The diversity, frequency, foraging activity, and intensity of attack of termites were assessed regularly at 144 baits representing 12 different bait choices over 8.5 months, in two northern Australian tropical savanna sites that differed in vegetation structure (closed vs open). Baits differed in type (paper rolls, cardboard, wooden stakes), position (surface, buried), and moisture status at installation (wet, dry).
3. Sixteen species were recorded, including 11 wood-feeders. Average species diversity, foraging activity, and bait consumption were greater at buried baits than at surface baits. Wooden baits were most attractive early in the experiment, and paper baits more attractive later. Mean species diversity was greatest at wooden stakes in the closed site. Species frequency of occurrence varied across bait choices.
4. A composite bait sampling protocol of stakes and paper rolls installed above and below ground gave an accurate assessment of the activity, diversity, and structure of the termite guild sampled across all baits over 8.5 months.
5. The choice of bait, its presentation, and time of examination are critical to the success of a termite baiting programme. If the aim is to characterise the structure and foraging activity of the subterranean termite assemblages that are attracted to baits, composite baiting protocols should be implemented.     

Elimination of subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) colonies using a refined cellulose bait matrix containing noviflumuron when monitored and replenished quarterly

Using a quarterly (3-mo) monitoring and bait-replenishment interval, 122 subterranean termite colonies throughout the United States were baited with a refined cellulose bait matrix containing 0.5% noviflumuron. All colonies were eliminated in less than 1 yr after initiation of baiting as determined by long-term monitoring and genetic markers. Sixty-three percent of the colonies were eliminated during the first quarter after the initiation of baiting and 77% of colonies were eliminated after consuming two bait tubes or less. This suggests that a single baiting cycle and bait installed in response to a single active monitoring device were sufficient to eliminate the majority of colonies. Although termites temporarily abandoned stations after depleting bait, workers resumed feeding when baits were replenished. Colonies that consumed large amounts of bait before elimination foraged into multiple stations, thus allowing adequate amounts of bait to sustain feeding. The time to eliminate termite colonies with bait replenished quarterly was similar to that previously reported for laminated cellulose bait replenished monthly. Our data support the conclusion that extending the bait replenishment interval from monthly to quarterly for bait tubes with refined cellulose containing 0.5% noviflumuron did not adversely impact colony elimination.     

Decomposition of tissue baits and termite density along a gradient of human land‐use intensification in Western Kenya

Termites are important decomposers and ‘ecosystem engineers’ in tropical ecosystems. Furthermore, termite assemblages are sensitive to human land‐use intensification and often termite density and the importance of soil‐feeding termites decrease with land‐use intensification. These changes in termite assemblages may also lead to a decrease in termite‐mediated ecosystem processes (e.g. soil formation, cellulose decomposition). We compared density and functional composition of termites with cellulose removal from undisturbed primary forests to farmlands (Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya). In contrast to the expectation, we found no response of termite abundance along the gradient of land‐use intensification. However, as expected, the relative abundance of soil‐feeders decreased from primary forests to farmlands. In contrast, frequency of attack on tissue paper baits and removal of tissue showed a clear hump‐shaped relationship to land‐use intensification with high values in secondary forests. These nonconcordant patterns of density and functional composition of termite assemblages with cellulose removal by termites suggest that it may be misleading to infer changes in a process by the characteristics of the assemblage of organisms that mediate that process.     

Feeding site selection by workers of the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) - a re-analysis of field data from a mark-recapture study

During the early stages of the development of termite baits, dyed paper was placed in specified feeding stations to ascertain whether a slow-acting toxicant could be placed in a few bait stations to be delivered to the entire colony members of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Feeding frequency data, as measured by the dye concentration in individual termites, suggested the absence of feeding site fidelity. However, these results were often misinterpreted as random movement of termites that were marked and released for population estimate studies, or the random search of food in soil by subterranean termites. A computer simulation program was constructed to re-examine this feeding frequency data, and confirmed the earlier conclusion that the lack of feeding site fidelity was the most likely explanation for the data.     

几种白蚁诱饵防霉剂的防霉效果比较

比较了8种供试防霉剂对黑翅土白蚁Odontotermes formosanus(Shiraki)喜食饵料小米粉的防霉效果,结果表明2‰山梨酸钾和0.75‰对小米粉的防霉效果较好,两者都能使野外试验坑中的小米粉样品8d后不发霉。室内试验结果表明,2‰山梨酸钾不影响黑翅土白蚁对小米粉的取食量;而0.75‰百菌清显著降低了黑翅土白蚁对小米粉的取食量,对黑翅土白蚁有明显的驱避作用。野外试验进一步表明,投饵8d后,小米粉诱饵、小米粉+2‰山梨酸钾诱饵、小米粉+0.75‰百菌清诱饵的发霉率分别为100,20和30%,而三者的被食率分别为27.67,53.70和19.15%。由此可见,2‰山梨酸钾最适合作为白蚁诱饵的防霉剂。     

Effects of nutrients on feeding activities of the pest termite Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Heterotermes tenuis is a native termite of large negative impact on the Brazilian economy. Many studies have focused on optimizing the baiting method for termite control by improving its use and its efficacy. In order to maximize termite bait consumption, this study aimed to select nutrient solutions which are able to enhance termite feeding. The effects of some sugars and urea on feeding preference of the subterranean termite H. tenuis were determined by double choice feeding tests, and the consumption was evaluated by variation in dry mass of filter paper after 28 days of termite feeding. Most of the solutions tested did not significantly influence feeding of H. tenuis . Termites fed preferentially on filter paper treated with 0.03 g/ml trehalose and 0.015 g/ml urea solutions. The data indicate that trehalose and urea solutions are phagostimulants to H. tenuis , and their future use in bait matrices may increase consumption of baits and improve this control technique.     

The effect of bait design on bait consumption in termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

The efficacy of baiting as a pest control method relies on the bait appealing to the pest species. In the case of wood-eating termites, bait stations should be designed to encourage termite presence and to maximize their consumption of bait matrix in order to expedite control in minimal time. A field experiment examined the effect of bait size (one large bait or four small baits of equivalent total size, with commensurate inspection and replacement schedules), compaction (tightly rolled or loosely folded) and composition (paper only or paper plus wood) on termite presence and on untreated bait paper removal rates over four months. All three factors were significant, with bait size the most important factor, followed by compaction and then composition. The least effective baits were small, compacted (rolled) paper-only baits with monthly inspections; these had the highest abandonment rate (70%) and had the least paper removed (mean of 24 g). The most effective baits were large, folded paper-plus-wood baits with inspections at two months; these had the lowest abandonment rate (20%) and had the highest paper removal (mean of 112 g). The more than four-fold difference between these baits types demonstrates that bait efficacy can be altered considerably merely by changing bait design without adding new ingredients to the bait matrix.     

Hermetically sealed baits for subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Cellulose baits containing 0.5% hexaflumuron were hermetically sealed in a closed cell polyethylene sheet envelope and placed in soil to test their durability and efficacy against field colonies of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, or the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). The closed cell polyethylene sheet was readily tunneled through by termites, yet it was impervious to water and protected the cellulose baits and hexaflumuron from the environment. Only in a few incidents did the polyethylene envelope become infiltrated by plant roots, resulting in water intrusion and apparent degradation of cellulose baits. After consuming one to three sealed baits, three colonies each of both termite species were eliminated. The sealed baits may be placed in soil for months or years without the need of monitoring, and they are readily penetrated and fed upon by termites when they are present. Application of baits hermetically sealed in a protective sheet may save labor costs by bypassing the monitoring phase, circumvent the station avoidance by some termite species, and enable the use of baiting technologies in large areas such as agricultural fields in which the manual monitoring is impractical.     

Toxic effects of 2-deoxy-D-galactose on Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and symbionts

In the interest of developing interventions to infestations by Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), several rare sugars were tested for effects on the termites and symbionts. Among these, the D-galactose analog, 2-deoxy-D-galactose (2deoxyGal) showed promise as a potential control chemical. At a test concentration of 2deoxyGal (320.4 microg/mm3) in water applied to 5-cm filter paper, in bioassays with 20 termite workers, we found that worker termite mortality was significantly affected over a 2-wk period. Subsequent dose-mortality feeding studies confirmed these findings. In addition, consumption of the sugar-treated filter paper by termites caused a significant decrease in hindgut protozoan populations. 2deoxyGal caused dose-dependent termite mortality, taking on average 1 wk to begin killing workers, indicating that it may have promise as a delayed action toxin, which, if added to baits, could allow time after bait discovery for an entire colony to be affected.     

Termite Feeding by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gorilla gorilla gorilla</Emphasis> at Bai Hokou,Central African Republic

Though insectivory by large-bodied gorillas may be unexpected, researchers have reported it in all populations of gorillas studied to date. Our study of 2 well monitored groups of western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at Bai Hokou in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic provides information on frequency and variability of termite consumption (the most commonly eaten insect) as well as some of the first direct observations of the behavior. Pooled data from both groups indicate termite feeding on 34% and 83% of days, through fecal analysis and feeding trails, respectively. Direct observations revealed that termite feeding occurred on 91% of the days for 1 group, in which the silverback fed on termites during 13% of all feeding scans, making termites the most commonly observed food item. The group that had a higher density of termite mounds in its home range consumed termites more frequently than the other group did. A higher proportion of fecal samples from the silverbacks contained termite remains than the ones from adult females and juveniles. Termite consumption was lower during the dry season, but it does not correlate with rainfall, measures of fruit availability, or fruit consumption. Displacements at termite mounds occurred more than expected, indicating that they are a patchy, sought-after food resource. Gorillas did not use tools to extract termites, but they used 2 different techniques to remove them from the cells. Though culture or social traditions may cause the variation in termite consumption across sites, further investigation of termite availability and consumption is necessary to rule out ecological and methodological explanations for observed variations.