اختبار بعض المواد الجاذبة (الطعوم)‎ لدراسة الوجود الموسمي لحشرة دابة الأرض (الأرضة)‎ (Microcertermes diversus Silvestri)‎ في جنوب

Abstract EN

Several termite attractants were tested at Elkod Research Center orchard to study the seasonal occurrence of termite casts on one hand, and to find out which attractant material is preferred by termites.

Cardboard, toilet paper, newspaper and sacks were used as treatments.

Each material was wrapped around a piece of wood 30 cm long, and was buried randomly in four directions of a mango tree that was infested by termites.

Treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design experiment.

Cardboard showed a highly statistically significant difference in number of termites attracted to it.

when compared to other treatments.

It hosted a maximum of 4345 termite casts (soldiers and workers) around a piece of wood 30-cm long.

The results showed that a maximum number of termites was recorded in March.

April and June; where mean temperatures ranged from 31 to 35°C.

The minimum number was recorded in November, December and January and the mean temperatures ranged from 29 to 33°C.

The effect of temperature on activity and foraging of termites was not found to be that clear compared with rainfall, irrigation and predators.

The most important predators recorded were the ants and particularly those belonging to the genus Crematogaster.

The most important species of termite recorded in the area was Microcerotermcs diversus Silvcstri.