FIELD COLLECTION AND LABORATORY MAINTENANCE OF <i>MASTOTERMES DARWINIENSIS</i> FROGGATT (ISOPTERA: MASTOTERMITIDAE) FOR BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT STUDIES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mastotermes darwiniesis Froggatt can cause extensive damage to wood and wood products in service. With increasing development of tropical Australia, where M. darwiniensis is abundant, the necessity for field collection, trasnportation and maintenance of the species in laboratory conditions has become more evident. M. darwiniensis were collected from an infested fence post near Townsville and confined in boxes (150 × 150 × 40 mm) in a matrix of vermiculite and satwdst. Mortality was less than 20% after 50d (including 10d of transportation), even at concentrations of 70g (approax, 1600 individuals) per box. In jar olonies containing 10 g of pseudergates increased feeding and improved survival ocurred at 32 °C as opposed to 26 °C. The formulation f a reproducible, standard laboratory bio‐assay technique is now possible.