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Populational and reproductive status of a polycalic colony of Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera, Termitidae) in the urban area of João Pessoa, NE Brazil

2006; UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE FEIRA DE SANTANA; Volume: 47; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

2447-8067

Alexandre Vasconcellos, Adelmar Gomes Bandeira,

Fish biology, ecology, and behavior

In South America, Nasutitermes corniger is considered an important pest in urban buildings. A group of seven nests of that species was studied in Joao Pessoa city, Northeastern Brazil. Aggressiveness bioassays, observations on the tunnel system, analysis of nest architecture and reproductive status of the colony were used as tools for the diagnosis ofpolycalism. All bioassay results characterized populations as passive. By mapping the tunnel system, it was possible to observe a clear connection across four of the seven study nests. Reproductive individuals (81 queens and 115 kings), royal cells, eggs, larvae, and nymphs were found in only one of the interlinked nests. Altogether, these characteristics suggest the existence of a polycalic colony distributed among all the seven observed nests or calies. Populational numbers in the nests ranged from 22,323 to 153,760 individuals, totalizing 637,679 individuals in the polycalic colony. The nests were distributed across five houses, covering an approximate area of 7,820 m 2 . Our results show that the existence of polycalic colonies of N. corniger in urban areas must be taken into account in planning measures of control.