insects Article Termite Diversity in Urban Landscape, South Jakarta, Indonesia Arinana 1,*, Rifat Aldina 1, Dodi Nandika 1, Aunu Rauf 2, Idham S. Harahap 2, I Made Sumertajaya 3 and Effendi Tri Bahtiar 1 1 Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia; [email protected] (R.A.); [email protected] (D.N.); [email protected] (E.T.B.) 2 Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia; [email protected] (A.R.); [email protected] (I.S.H.) 3 Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel./Fax: +62-251-8621-285 Academic Editors: Tsuyoshi Yoshimura, Wakako Ohmura, Vernard Lewis and Ryutaro Iwata Received: 19 January 2016; Accepted: 3 May 2016; Published: 6 May 2016 Abstract: The population of South Jakarta, a city within the Province of Jakarta Capital Region, is increasing annually, and the development of land into building causes termite diversity loss. The aim of this research was to determine the diversity of subterranean termite species and their distribution in South Jakarta and to evaluate the soil profile termite habitat. This study was conducted in South Jakarta and was carried out at four residential areas representing four randomly selected sub-districts. Specimens were collected with a baiting system. At each residence, as many as 25–30 stakes of pine wood (Pinus merkusii) sized 2 cm ˆ 2 cm ˆ 46 cm were placed for termite sampling. Soil samples were also collected from each residence for testing of their texture, pH, soil water content, and C-organic. Three species of subterranean termites were identified, including Coptotermes curvignathus, Microtermes insperatus, and Macrotermes gilvus, with area-specific variations in occurrence. The soil and weather conditions in the studied areas provided suitable habitat for termites, and M. insperatus was the most commonly found species. Keywords: termite dispersion region; termite diversity and distribution; termite identification; soil characteristics and local weather effect 1. Introduction Termites frequently destroy wood as well as other cellulose materials used in building construction. The insects have successfully adapted to the varied conditions that characterize urban and agricultural environments around the world [1], and their attacks on buildings are an important issue. The intensity of these attacks is high and ongoing, and economic losses associated with them tend to increase from year to year. Subterranean termites are the most commonly occurring type, and they are potentially the most destructive pest in any building. The intensity of a termite attack and the magnitude of the resulting damage can be very high. According to Nandika et al. [2], economic losses from termite-related damage in residential buildings in Indonesia was estimated to be Rp 8.7 trillion in 2015. The threat of termite attack on buildings will remain high. The climate of South Jakarta features moderate rain intensity, and the humid weather can cause building damage, such as cracks and decay. This damage can provide access for termites to enter the buildings. Termites not only attack the cellulose-containing components of a building, such as window or door frames, doors, roofs, and ceilings, but also the interior wooden structures, such as furniture and sculpture. This attack will certainly inflict a high economic cost on maintaining buildings. Insects 2016, 7, 20; doi:10.3390/insects7020020 www.mdpi.com/journal/insects Insects 2016, 7, 20 2 of 18 Insects 2016, 7, 20 2 of 18 Thebuildings. results of The the results current of research the current study research are expected study are to provideexpected information to provide information about the diversity about the and distributiondiversity and of subterranean distribution of termite subterranean species intermite residential species areas in residential and to identify areas the and intensity to identify of attacks the inintensity residential of buildings.attacks in residential buildings. 2.2. Experimental Experimental Section Section 2.1.2.1. Time Time and and Locations Locations ThisThis research research was was conducted conducted fromfrom DecemberDecember 2014 to to April April 2015 2015 in in four four residences residences chosen chosen from from fourfour randomly randomly selected selected sub-districts sub-districts outout ofof 1010 inin SouthSouth Jakarta:Jakarta: Tebet Tebet Barat Barat (latitude: (latitude: 6°14 6˝14′031′′03S,11 S, longitude:longitude: 106 106°50˝50160′6011′′E,E, altitudealtitude 1717 m.a.s.l.),m.a.s.l.), JagakarsaJagakarsa (06°19 (06˝19′31131′′11S,S, 106°49 106˝49′06106′′E,11 E,62 62m.a.s.l.), m.a.s.l.), Pasar Pasar MingguMinggu (06 (06°17˝17138′3811′′S,S, 106106°49˝491′252511′′E, 39 m.a.s.l.), and and Cipulir (06°14 (06˝14′13113′′S,11S, 106°46 106˝46′251′′25E,11 E,24 24m.a.s.l.). m.a.s.l.). IdentificationIdentification of termitesof termites was was conducted conducted at the at Laboratory the Laboratory of Wood of Quality Wood ImprovementQuality Improvement Technology, DepartmentTechnology, of Department Forest Products, of Forest Faculty Products, of Forestry, Faculty Bogor of Forestry, Agricultural Bogor Agricultural University University (IPB). Soil analysis(IPB). wasSoil carried analysis out was at thecarried Laboratory out at the of Laboratory Integrated of Soil Integrated Resource, Soil Soil Resource, Research Soil Institute, Research AgencyInstitute, for AgriculturalAgency for ResearchAgricultural and Research Development, and Development, Ministry of Agriculture,Ministry of Agriculture, Bogor. Bogor. 2.2.2.2. Equipment Equipment and and Materials Materials TheThe equipment equipment used used in in this this researchresearch includedincluded bottles for for termite termite collection, collection, brushes, brushes, a digital a digital camera, a stereo microscope, environment meter (thermo-hygro and lux meter) (Krisbow), camera, a stereo microscope, environment meter (thermo-hygro and lux meter) (Krisbow), transparent transparent plastic, surgical instruments for termite dissection, and a soil driller. The materials used plastic, surgical instruments for termite dissection, and a soil driller. The materials used were air-dried were air-dried pine wood (Pinus merkusii) stakes measuring 2 cm × 2 cm × 46 cm, oil paint (red color), pine wood (Pinus merkusii) stakes measuring 2 cm ˆ 2 cm ˆ 46 cm, oil paint (red color), and alcohol 70%. and alcohol 70%. 2.3. Collection and Identification of Termite Species 2.3. Collection and Identification of Termite Species Pine wood was chosen for the stakes because Arinana et al. [3] found that subterranean termites Pine wood was chosen for the stakes because Arinana et al. [3] found that subterranean termites prefer pine wood to Acacia mangium, Hevea brasiliensis, and Paraserianthes falcataria. The tops of the prefer pine wood to Acacia mangium, Hevea brasiliensis, and Paraserianthes falcataria. The tops of the stakesstakes were were painted painted with with a a bright bright colorcolor (red)(red) toto help mark their their location. location. The The size size of of the the stakes stakes used used followedfollowed the the ASTM ASTM standard standard [ 4[4].]. TermitesTermites were were collected collected with with a baitinga baiting system, system, which which included included 108 108 stakes stakes in allin investigatedall investigated areas (25–30areas stakes (25–30 per stakes residence). per residence). The stakes The stakes were installed were installed around around the house the hous ande outdoorand outdoor structures structures on the propertyon the property in areas thatin areas were that not were covered not bycovered concrete by concrete or other or artificial other artificial barriers. barriers. Some stakes Some were stakes also installedwere also in outdoor installed community in outdoor areascommunity such as areas playgrounds, such as playgrounds, gardens, parks, gardens,etc. Stakes parks, amounted etc. Stakes to as manyamounted as 25, 28,to as 30, many and 25as 25, pieces, 28, 30, spread and 25 around pieces, the spread housing around areas the in housing Tebet Barat,areas in Jagakarsa, Tebet Barat, Pasar Minggu,Jagakarsa, and Pasar Cipulir, Minggu, respectively. and Cipulir, Stakes respectively. were installed Stakes vertically were installed into the vertically soil so that into half the was soil below so thethat soil half surface, was below as shown the soil in Figuresurface,1. as Stakes shown were in Figure left in 1. place Stakes for were 3 months left in and place checked for 3 months monthly and for termitechecked infestation. monthly for termite infestation. FigureFigure 1.1. Installation of of stakes. stakes. Insects 2016, 7, 20 3 of 18 Stakes that were attacked by termites were extracted, and soldiers were collected and preserved in 70% alcohol. The species of the soldier termites were then identified based on literature and key identification according to Ahmad [5] and Tho [6]. The collected termites were photographed and observed by microscope under 10ˆ magnification for the entire insect body and 30ˆ magnification for the head parts including the antennae and mandibles. 2.4. Soil Characteristics Analysis Soil sampling was conducted at four points (Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern parts) in every region of the study at depths of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm; thus, there were 32 soil samples in total. The soil samples were sent to the Laboratory of Integrated Soil Resource (an ISO/IEC1705 certified laboratory) to measure the soil moisture content, pH, C-organic content, and texture. 2.5. Sunlight Intensity, Temperature, and Humidity Measurements Measurements of sunlight intensity, temperature, and humidity were conducted in the morning (8:00 a.m.), noon (12:00 a.m.), and afternoon (16:00 p.m.). 3. Results and Discussion 3.1. Diversity of Subterranean Termites Twenty-one stakes were attacked during the 3 months those stakes were in place, and the identification and method of determination based on Ahmad [5] and Tho [6] revealed that three species of subterranean termites were present.