ABSTRACT
The objective of this research was to study the foraging activity of the termite Heterotermes tenuis in the region of Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil, using the Termitrap® trap. The experiments were installed in different areas of Retiro Farm. At area 1, 40 traps were installed at 10-meter intervals, in X distribution, throughout all the area, which measured 2,500 m2. At area 2, with the same dimension, 30 traps were installed, the same as in area 1, but in Z distribution. The traps were made of corrugated cardboard with a height of 15 cm and diameter of 8 cm. The evaluations were made every week for 24 months (1992–1993) in area 1 and for 32 months (1993–1995) in area 2. In area 1 a correlation was verified between the population of termites and rainfall and temperature. In area 2 the termite’s population was correlated only with temperature. The total reform of the sugarcane crop with mechanical techniques influenced in the foraging and galleries of H. tenuis, but did not affect the pest control.
KEY WORDS
Ecology; termite; foraging
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