Variation in shape and size of fecal pellets as a diagnostic tool for drywood (Kalotermitidae: Blattodea) termite species identification

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/08/2018
Views (444)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Variation in shape and size of fecal pellets as a diagnostic tool for drywood (Kalotermitidae: Blattodea) termite species identification

Mark Jun A. Rojo
Int. J. Biosci. 13(2), 149-153, August 2018.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2018; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

A study on the variation in size and shape of dry wood termites fecal pellets were conducted to determine if it can be used as a diagnostic tool for species identification. Specimens of both fecal pellets and termites (soldier caste) were collected. Species identification were based on available keys. Fecal Pellet’s were mounted on a microscope to view and measure the variations in shape and size between species. Out of 38 specimens, 21 were identified as Cryptotermes dudleyi Banks and the remaining is C. cynocephalus Light. Termite’s difference in length was noticeable, C. cynocephalus is shorter, i.e., less than 5mm while C. dudleyi exceeds 5mm. The shape of fecal pellets were almost identical between the two species however C. dudleyi was much wider by 0.7mm and longer by 0.22mm than C. cynocephalus. Thus the difference in size can already provide hint to pest controller, students or researcher as to the identification of dry wood termites.

Acda MN. 2004. Economically important termites (Isoptera) of the Philippines and their control. Sociobiology. 43(2), 159-168. Retrieved from: www.researchgate.net/publication/289861438_Economically_Important_Termites_Isoptera_of_the_Philippines_and_Their_Control. August 9, 2018

Bagnères AG, Hanus R. 2015. Communication and social regulation in termites. In Social recognition in invertebrates. Springer, Cham. pp. 193-248. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17599-7_11

Blomquist G, Bagnères, A. 2010. Introduction: history and overview of insect hydrocarbons Insect Hydrocarbons: Biology, Biochemistry and Chemical Ecology. DOI: 10.1017/CBO9780511711909.002

Brammer AS, Scheffrahn RH. 2002. Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes cavifrons Banks (Insecta: Isoptera: Kalotermitidae). Retrieved from: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.551.2666&rep=rep1&type=pdf. August 9, 2018

Cassala R, Scheffrahn R, Korb J. 2016. Cryptotermes colombianus a new drywood termite and distribution record of Cryptotermes in Colombia. ZooKeys (596), 39. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.596.9080

Dunn CP. 2003. Keeping taxonomy based in morphology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 18(6), 270-271. DIO:  10.1016/S0169-5347(03)00094-6.

Garcia CM, Eusebio DA, San Pablo MR, Villena EM. 2012. Resistance of wood wool cement board to the attack of Philippine termites. Insects 3(1), 18-24. DOI: 10.3390/insects3010018

Gold RE, Howell HN, Glenn GJ, Engler K. 2005. Subterranean termites. Texas FARMER Collection. Retrieved from: https://agrilife.org/aes/ files/2010/06/ SubterraneanTermites.pdf. August 9, 2018

Grace JK. 2009. What can fecal pellets tell us about cryptic drywood termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae). International Research Group on Wood Protection, Stockholm, Sweden. IRG Document IRG/WP. 09-20407. Retrieved from: www.researchgate. net/publication/258995705_What_Can_Fecal_PelltsTell_Us_About_Cryptic_Drywood_Termites_Isoptera_Kalotermitidae. August 9, 2018.

Gullan PJ, Cranston PS. 2014. The Insects: An Outline of Entomology. Wiley-Blackwell 5, 11-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmw008

Haverty MI, Woodrow RJ, Nelson LJ, Grace JK. 2005. Identification of termite species by the hydrocarbons in their feces. Journal of chemical ecology 31(9), 2119-2151. DOI: 10.1007/s10886-005-6081-8.

Korb J. 2007. Workers of a drywood termite do not work. Frontiers in zoology 4(1), 7. DOI: 10.1186/1742-9994-4-7 

Light SF. 1921. Notes on Philippine termites, II. Philippine J. Sci

Moore HB. 1993. An Introduction to Wood Destroying Insects: Their Identification, Biology, Prevention and Control. Pest Control Magazine.

Nuorteva M, Kinnunen KA. 2008. Insect frass in Baltic amber. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland 80, 105-124. DOI: 10.17741/bgsf/80.2.003

Rojo MJA. 2017. Susceptibility of classroom furniture to drywood termites. Journal of entomology and zoology studies 5(3), 942-944. Retrieved from: www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2017/vol5issue3/PartN/5-3-51-246.pdf. August 9, 2018

Scheffrahn RH, Krecek J. 1999. Termites of the genus Cryptotermes Banks (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) from the West Indies. Retrieved from: www.bio-nica.info/biblioteca/Scheffrahn1999 Cryptotermes.pdf. August 9, 2018

Scheffrahn RH, Su NY. 1997. Drywood termite control: weighing all the options. Ft. Lauderdale REC Research Report 97-1, Retrieved from: www.researchgate.net/publication/266894463_Drywood_Termite_Control_Weighing_All_the_Option

Scheffrahn RH, Su NY. 2014. West Indian Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Insecta: Isoptera: Kalotermitidae). Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extensive Service, IFAS, University of Florida Publication EENY-079. Google Scholar. Retrieved from: https://edis.ifas. ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN23600.pdf

Wang C, Zhou X, Li S, Schwinghammer M, Scharf ME, Buczkowski G, Bennett GW. 2009. Survey and identification of termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Indiana. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 102(6). 1029-103. DOI: 10.1603/008.102.0611

Related Articles

Yield performance assessment of different mustard cultivars under field conditions

Md. Khan Jahan Ali, Md. Moshiur Rahman, Kamrun Nahar, Sharmin Ara Jannat, Mst. Khadija Khatun, Sushan Chowhan, Md. Habibur Rahman, Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 277-282, August 2025.

Species composition of xylomicobiota of some woody plants distributed in Azerbaijan

K. F. Bakhshaliyeva, V. Y. Hasanova, N. R. Namazov, B. N. Aliyeva, S. C. Garayeva, S. E. Nagiyeva, P. Z. Muradov, Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 267-276, August 2025.

Perception of producers and processors on sorghum diversity in the context of climate change in center and Northern Benin

Parfait Segla Alohoutade1,2,3, Alphonse Sako Avocefohoun*1,2,3, Sènan Vodouhe2, Mohamed Kanazoe1,2,3, Nicodème Chabi1, Lamine Said Baba-Moussa3, Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 256-266, August 2025.

Implications of aberrant glycosylation on age-related disease progression

Tahmid Ahmad Patwary, Mukramur Rahman, Md. Nafis Fuad Prottoy, Sayad Md. Didarul Alam, Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 243-255, August 2025.

Epizootic status and eradication of parasitic diseases in brown bears transferred to the rehabilitation center in Azerbaijan

Siala İ. Rustamova, Aygun A. Azizova, Gular R. Mammadova, Ramin S. Mammadov, Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 236-242, August 2025.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Annona squamosa (Atis) crude leaf extract against A549 (Human Lung Adenocarcinoma) cell line

Ashton U. Lim, Noricel U. Garcia, Alkauzar H. Tantong, Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 226-235, August 2025.

Perceptions of stakeholders towards sheep and goat dairy products in Benin

Yvette Adje, Philippe Sessou, Aretas Tonouhewa, Paulin Azokpota, Lamine Baba-Moussa, Souaïbou Farougou, Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 211-225, August 2025.

Medicinal plants sold in Daloa markets: Traditional knowledge and Public health issues

Kouakou Yao Bertin, Kouakou Assoman Serge Alain, Kouame Yao Anicet Gervais, Malan Djah François, Bakayoko Adama, Int. J. Biosci. 27(2), 200-210, August 2025.