Temperature Studies of The Habitat of Eutermes Exitiosus With Special Reference to The Temperatures Within The Mound

Abstract

The temp. of the termite mound is not constant. Less variation was noted in the nursery portion of the mound. The mound temp., metabolic in origin, averages 14.5-18.5[degree] F higher than an unoccupied (dead) mound, yet follows the seasonal trend. The reduced summer population maintains as high a temp. contrast as the larger winter number, due to the higher metabolism of the termites. Mounds with alates show a 10-13[degree]F increase over non-alate ones. By recording temps. it is possible to distinguish populous from nonpopulous mounds. Temp. data may be used to determine the effects of various toxic materials on termite colonies known to be normally healthy at time of treatment.