Life Sciences Commons^™

Response By Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) And Cryptocercus Punctulatus (Blattaria: Cryptocercidae) To Wood Infected With The Green-Stain Ascomycete, Chlorociboria Aeruginascens Aeruginascens, Deborah Waller

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Termites of the genus Reticulitermes Holmgren and the wood roaches Cryptocercus punctulatus Scutter were observed feeding on wood stained green by the ascomycete fungus, Chlorociboria aeruginascens aeruginascens (Leotiaceae), in a Virginia forest. However, in laboratory choice trials, both termites and wood roaches preferred unstained wood to stained wood. In no-choice feeding trials, Reticulitermes fed stained birch ate significantly less wood and weighed significantly less than termites fed unstained birch. These results indicate that natural host utilization patterns cannot be relied upon to indicate feeding preferences.