Survivability of the Subterranean Termite Heterotermes aureus (Snyder) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) When Exposure to Different Temperatures and Relative Humidity

Survivability of Heterotermes aureus (Snyder) was tested under varying temperature and relative humidity regimes in laboratory incubators over seven day periods. Initial tests showed that RH had a strong influence on H. aureus survival. Survival was significantly higher (P<.05) at 90% RH than 50% RH when held at a constant temperature of 29.4 o C. Four temperatures were tested at a constant RH of 90%. Survival was highest at temperatures of 19.4 o C (91.8%) and 21.1 o C (97.3%). Survival was significantly lower for the higher ranger temperatures of 29.4 o C (91.2%) and 32.2 o C (69.2%). Key Words_ Termite, Heterotermes aureus, Temperature, Relative Humidity, Survival