Volume 3- Issue 1: 2018 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.03.000843 Khalid Rasib. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res ISSN: 2574-1241 Research Article Open Access Effect of Sub Lethal Concentrations on Population Size of Termites Odontotermes Obesus (Rambur) and Coptotermes Heimi (Wasmann) Under Laboratory and Field Conditions Khalid Zamir Rasib1, Ayesha Aihetasam1, Hina Ashraf1, Mohammad Afzal2 1Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Pakistan 1,2Department of Biological Science, Forman Christian College University, Pakistan Received: February 28, 2018; Published: March 12, 2018 *Corresponding author: Khalid Rasib, Department of Biological Science, Forman Christian College University, Lahore 54600, Pakistan, Tel: 5; Email: Abstract When termites Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) and Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann) were treated with toxicants using imidacloprid and interpretedfipronil at fixed as resulting sub lethal from concentration a group effect of 0.3ppm or socially and facilitated different groupbehavior. size More (10, 25,generally, 50, 100, a 125,group 150, effect, 200, or 250, socially 300, facilitated 350, 400, 450,behavior, 500), could then beresults invoked: revealed individuals that greater may modulate the group their size behavior of the termite, in response a significantly to the presence (P<0.05) of other less groupmortality members was observed. through omnipresent Such observation signals could or cues be (byKeywords: omnipresent Coptotermes signals, heimi;we mean Group signals size; that Odontotermes do not result obesus, from fipronil;specific imidaclopridevents in space; Sub or Lethal; time). Concentration Introduction protozoan symbionts can be found in the gut in addition to bacteria Termites are social insects of the order Isoptera now blattodea Krishna [9]. These symbionts help with the digestion of cellulose. with about 3000 species Munthali [1]; Glaciela et al. [2], Tathiane The lower termites are generally more primitive, having simple families Logan et al. [4], Pearce [5]. Termites are predominantly galleries but not well formed nests (with the exception of a few in 281 genera Grohmann et al. [3], fifteen subfamilies and seven distributed in tropical environment, with the highest species Australian Coptotermes (Rhinotermitidae) which have mounds for richness in equatorial rainforest, and generally declining with nests). Some have colonies without true workers, and generally eat increasing latitude Yanyong et al. [6]. Termites are dominant only wood. Unlike higher termites lower termites usually occur in arthropod detritivores important in decomposition process. more temperate latitudes. Higher termites (Termitidae) are much more diverse ecologically. While some still consume wood, others to be governed to a large extent by the species composition and have evolved different diets of herbage, grass, dung, humus, fungus, Their influence on decomposition processes at any site is likely the local termite assemblage Jones and Eggleton [7]. Termite lichens, or organic material in soil. The higher termites rely either on diversity, composition and their associated functions vary within internal digestion with gut bacteria or external digestion in fungus and between ecosystems and these may shift under changing land- combs Edwards and Mill [10]. The higher termites often build large uses Zeidler et al. [8]. Termites are often separated into two groups, nests or mounds, and are common in tropical areas, but are rare “higher termites” and “lower termites”. The group known as the or absent in temperate climates. Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) “higher termites” (Termitidae), which makes up 75% of all termite is widely distributed in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India Akhtar et species, has only bacteria present in the gut. In the “lower termites” al. [11-13]. It is of great significance and feeds on wood, surface Cite this article: Khalid Z R, Ayesha A, Hina A, Mohammad A. Effect of Sub Lethal Concentrations on Population Size of Termites Odontotermes Obesus (Rambur) and Coptotermes Heimi (Wasmann) Under Laboratory and Field Conditions. Biomed J Sci &Tech Res 3(1)- 2018. BJSTR. MS.ID.000843. DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.03.000843 2988 Khalid Rasib. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res Volume 3- Issue 1: 2018 debris such as twigs, bark fragments, dry leaves and grasses. It is Wagha border, Ravi siphon, Jinnah garden, agricultural crops and fallen wooden logs infested under natural conditions. They were boxes, baskets and railway sleepers Akhtar [14]. also collected through the baiting of different woods as stakes with a common wood eater, damaging firewood, floor timber, wooden appropriate dimensions and supplemented by sugarcane stalk to In Pakistan this species has also been recorded to damage aggregate maximum termites. Collection were made also feasible woodwork in buildings in various ecological areas. It attacks houses in villages more commonly than in urban areas Akhtar rolls/ card boards consisting of plastic bottles with small holes at [14,15]. Termites become economically important pests when by using artificial baiting methods like bucket traps /wetted toilet the base as well as on lateral sides to permit the entry of termites they started to destroy the wood and wooden products of human into the bait. The baits were buried into the soil to their quarter homes, building materials, forests, agriculture crops and other length followed by regular inspection twice a month. This will be commercial products (Monica et al 2009). The major mound helpful to collect termites as and when they are visiting to the bait building termite species like Odontotermes obesus Rambur, O. feeding stations. redemanni Wasmann, O. wallonesis Wasmann, O. horni Wasmann, Heterotermes indicola Wasmann, Coptotermes kishori, C. heimi Augmentation Wasmann, Microtermes obesi Holmgren, Trinervitermes biformis Colonies of O. obesus and C. heimi were established in a Wasmann and Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder attack the bark and heart wood of standing trees such as Butea monosperma (Lam.) dimensions (Length× height× width: 30× 35×30cm) under transparent test apparatus made up of acrylic sheet with specific Taub., Dipterocarpus indicus Bedd., Eucalyptus sp., Pterocarpus laboratory conditions. Wood blocks (length× Width× thickness: Roxburgh, L., Roth., marsurpium Santalum album Shorea robusta 30× 4× 2cm) of Populus euramericana, which is one of the most Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. Swietenia macrophylla King., susceptible wood were cleaned, and kept in a dry place before Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks., Tectona grandis their use for one week. 2000g of sterile soil/sand was added along Linn.,Toona cilita M. Rome. Haldina cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsdale etc. with 300 termite workers, 50 soldiers and 100 alate pairs in each Rajagopal [16], Remadevi et al. [17,18] reported the possibility of transparent cage containing four tiers of Populus euramericana CSI bait eliminating or suppressing the higher termite if the test blocks. The termites were handled with a moist paint brush. colonies could pick up adequate lethal dose by installing more bait Workers of a uniform stage were used, their morphology. Buchli stations and prolonging the baiting period. and their stomach contents were used to judge whether or not C. heimi has large population size, a subterranean termite colony they were functional workers. All the cages were then covered with can cause more structural damage in a shorter time. Wood products black polythene/cloth to minimize the effects of light and placed in that are infested by subterranean termite may be recognized the controlled room at 26°C, RH 75%. Moisture in the containers by tapping the wood with a hard object. In severe infestations, was kept judiciously and checked twice a month. subterranean termite hollows out woods leaving a paper-thin Insecticides/ Toxicants surface. Because of its population size and foraging range, the presence of subterranean termite colonies poses serious threats Commercial formulation of two insecticides used for the to nearby structures. Once established, subterranean termite bioassays were, Fipronil (Fiprostar® 25 EC Starlet International) has never been eradicated from an area. Another characteristic and Imidacloprid (Mirage® 5% SC Ali Akbar Enterprises, Pakistan) of subterranean termite is carton nest material that is made of at lower concentration of 0.3ppm. The base line concentration termite excrements, chewed wood, and soil. Grace et al. [19]. In 0.3ppm for both toxicants was selected separately by diluting fact, social interactions are so effective in minimizing deleterious the termiticides formulation (based on the solubility) in solvents actions of strong stresses such as starvation and disease, one could (acetone or distilled water) to obtain desired concentrations. hypothesize that they would also impact survivorship of termites Laboratory Bioassay imposed to insecticides [20]. This work tests such a hypothesis, Population size of two different termites i.e. Odontotermes comparing the survivorship of poisoned and non-poisoned termites obesus and Coptotermes heimi was checked under laboratory conditions. Selected size ranges were 10, 25, 50, 100, 125, 150, 200, and De Souza [21]. Therefore , current research focusing on the which have been confined in groups of different sizes Miramontes 250, 300, 350,400,450 and 500 respectively. Only healthy workers effect of sub lethal concentrations on population size of termites of two species were used and acclimatized to laboratory conditions Odontotermes