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Comparative Biology and Ecology of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Louisiana

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Comparative Biology and Ecology of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Louisiana Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 2000 Comparative Biology and Ecology of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Louisiana. Huixin Fei Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Fei, Huixin, "Comparative Biology and Ecology of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Louisiana." (2000). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 7194. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/7194 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bieedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. Bell & Howell Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF THE FORMOSAN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE, COPTOTERMES FORMOSANUS SHIRAKI (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE) IN LOUISIANA A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment o f the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Entomology by Huixin Fei B. S., Nanjing Agricultural University, 1986 M. S., Nanjing Agricultural University, 1989 May 2000 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number 9979258 _ ___ <Ki UMI UMI Microform9979258 Copyright 2000 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my major professor, Dr. Gregg Henderson, for his support, encouragement, friendship, and guidance in every aspect throughout my graduate studies and the course of this work, as well as in the writing of this dissertation. I am gratefixl to my advisory committee, Drs. Abner M. Hammond, Seth J. Johnson, Richard N. Story, and Lynn R. LaMotte for their assistance in formulating my study and research schedule, their valuable inputs in my research, and their help in preparing this dissertation. I would like to thank Chris Dunaway, Jay Paxson, Beverly Wiltz, Jian Chen, and Karen Nix for their assistance in collecting termites, maintenance of termite colonies in the laboratory, and preparing this dissertation. Thanks go to Dr. Frank S. Guillot, Department Head, and Dr. Linda Hooper-Bui, who reviewed my paper in SOCIOBIOLOGY. Gratitude is also extended to the faculty and staff of the Department of Entomology and a number of student workers who offered assistance in various ways. My deepest appreciation goes to my wife, Wenli Jing, and my daughter, Xianhan (Mary) Fei for their love and encouragement throughout my work on this degree. I thank them for understanding all long hours and late dinners. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................ ii LIST OF TABLES....................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................................... vii ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................. x CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................... 1 « References ............................................................................................. 10 II. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INCIPIENT COLONY DEVELOPMENT IN THE FORMOSAN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE, COPTOTERMES FORMOSANUS SHIRAKI (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE) IN LOUISIANA.................................................................................................... 17 Introduction ........................................................................................ 18 Materials and Methods ...................................................................... 20 Results................................................................................................. 25 Discussion ............................................................................................ 27 References ............................................................................................ 43 III. EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND SOLDIER PROPORTION ON WOOD CONSUMPTION AND TERMITE SURVIVAL BY THE FORMOSAN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE, COPTOTERMES FORMOSANUS SHIRAKJ (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE) 47 Introduction ........................................................................................ 48 Materials and Methods ...................................................................... 49 Results................................................................................................. 51 Discussion ........................................................................................... 56 References ........................................................................................... 63 IV. EFFECTS OF WOOD VOLUME AND SURFACE AREA ON WOOD CONSUMPTION RATE AND TERMITE SURVIVAL BY THE FORMOSAN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE, COPTOTERMES FORMOSANUS SHIRAKI (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE) IN THE LABORATORY.................................................................................... 67 Introduction ........................................................................................ 68 Materials and Methods ...................................................................... 69 Results................................................................................................. 73 Discussion ........................................................................................... 80 References ........................................................................................... 82 iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. V. EFFECT OF TERMITE DENSITY ON WOOD CONSUMPTION AND TERMITE SURVIVAL BY THE FORMOSAN SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE, COPTOTERMES FORMOSANUS SHIRAKI (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE)................................................................................... 86 Introduction ......................................................................................... 87 Materials and Methods ....................................................................... 88 Results.................................................................................................. 90 Discussion ............................................................................................ 91 References ............................................................................................. 97 VI. EFFECTS OF MOISTURE AND TWO NITROGEN SOURCES ON NEST SITE CHOICE BY ALATES AND DEALATES OF COPTOTERMES FORMOSANUS SHIRAKI (ISOPTERA: RHINOTERMITIDAE) IN THE LABORATORY...................................... 100 Introduction ......................................................................................... 101 Materials and Methods ....................................................................... 102 Results.................................................................................................. 104 Discussion ............................................................................................. 105 References ............................................................................................
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