New Distribution Record of Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the Coldest Highland in Central Japan

Authors

  • Etsuro Takagi University of Tsukuba
  • Takahiro Ogai University of Tsukuba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v62i3.595

Keywords:

establishment, invasion, Japanese termite, cold tolerance

Abstract

The distribution of Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe was investigated in the Sugadaira highland, the coldest area in central Japan. We found R. speratus in an empty lot in June 2013. The following spring, we found the overwintered termites in the log, which had been naturally covered in snow. Conversely, the population size in the empty lot had decreased from April through June 2014. Moreover, R. speratus were not found in the forest. These suggest that the individuals found in the empty lot had been artificially introduced and the establishment might be difficult in the coldest areas in Japan.

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Author Biography

Etsuro Takagi, University of Tsukuba

Assistant Professor, Sugadaira Montane Research Center

References

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Published

2015-09-30

How to Cite

Takagi, E., & Ogai, T. (2015). New Distribution Record of Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the Coldest Highland in Central Japan. Sociobiology, 62(3), 460–461. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v62i3.595

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Section

Short Note