The effects of bait shape and composition on acceptance and consumption of bait by Microcerotermes diversus (Isoptera: Termitidae) under laboratory and field conditions

Microcerotermes diversus Silvestri (Isoptera: Termitidae) is an extremely destructive structural wood pest in Khuzestan province, Iran. One of the effective methods for subterranean termites control is the use of baiting systems that have recently evolved as an environmentally safe tactic to protect structures. In this research, several factors for the preparation of bait were evaluated involving the bait composition. In the no-choice test of bait composition, termites had the highest levels of feeding on bagasse + molasses + yeast, bagasse + molasses, bagasse + yeast, and bagasse, respectively. In the further experiment, termites had the highest levels of feeding on bait containing bagasse + molasses + yeast compared to control. Termites showed the highest levels of feeding on the bait in the stems of the cane, raw bait, cooked bait and pill-shaped bait, respectively. In the field phase, significant differences were not observed among the treatments but termites had the highest levels of feeding on the bait in the stems of the cane, pill-shaped bait, cooked bait and raw bait, respectively. Both field and laboratory conditions, indicate that the target termite has shown a greater tendency to baits in the cane. Findings of this study suggests that the design of the bait and its shape can also affect the bait’s attraction and its acceptance by the termite. Therefore, in addition to the ingredients of the bait, its shape, size, softness and texture quality also affect the amount of bait consumption.