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The gaseous environment of mound colonies of the subterranean termite Coptotermes lacteus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) before and after feeding on mirex-treated decayed wood bait blocks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

J.R.J. French
Affiliation:
CSIRO Division of Forest Products, Private Bag 10, Rosebank MDC, Clayton, Victoria 3169, Australia:
R.A. Rasmussen
Affiliation:
Global Change Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon 97006-1999, USA:
D.M. Ewart
Affiliation:
University of Melbourne, Private Bag 10, Kew, Victoria 3083, Australia
M.A.K. Khalil
Affiliation:
Global Change Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon 97006-1999, USA:

Abstract

Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chloroform, hydrogen, methane and nitrous oxide emissions were collected from within several mound colonies of the subterranean termite Coptotermes lacteus (Fgottatt) and the surrounding habitat of a dry sclerophyll forest in central Gippsland, Australia, following treatment of the termite mounds with mirex-treated bait blocks. All the mirex-treated colonies died within two weeks of commencing active feeding on the bait blocks. The flux measurements of the gaseous emissions were calculated before, during and after treatment with the mirex-treated decayed wood bait blocks. Carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen all declined after colony death.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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