Influence of Seasons on Honeybee Wooden Hives Attack by Termites in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Termites have been observed as major pre-colonisation and post-colonisation pest insect of honeybees’ wooden hives in Nigeria. However, pest situation studies in modern beekeeping have been largely directed towards those pests that affect honeybees rather than the biological structure (wood) which houses the honeybees and the influence of seasons on the pests’ activities against the hives. This study, therefore, investigated the influence of seasons on the intensity of hives attacks by termites for 2 years in University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State using visual inspection. The Experimental Apiary was established with 15 Kenyan’s top bar hives made of Triplochiton scleroxylon wood that were strategically placed and observed within the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management arboretum. The colonies hives consistently showed comparatively lower termite’s infestation levels in the dry season and, consequently, also lower attacks on the colonized hives. The result indicated raining season as a distinct period for more destructive activities of termites on the hives and strongly associated with dryness of the hives. Since previous study and observations have linked colonization with dry season coupled with minimal attacked on colonized hives; the non-colonised hives should be removed from the field at the onset of raining season and returned two weeks prior to dry season to reduce hives degradation by pests.
[1] Aiyeloja, A. A. and Adedeji, G. A. 2014. Preliminary survey of wood species cavities preferred by honeybees in Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research (IJSER), 5(2): 1313-1320. ISSN: 2229-5518
[2] UNEP, 2000. Finding alternatives to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for termite management. UNEP/FAO/Global IPM Facility Export Group on Termite Biology and Management Article 150pp retrieved on 20 June, 2014 from www.unep.org/chemicalssandwaste/Portals/9/ Pesticides-termite-fulldocument.pdf
[3] Wood, T. G. 1977. Food and feeding habits of termites. In: Brian, M.V. (ed.). Production Ecology of Ants and Termites. International Biological Programme, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Pp 55-80
[4] Haverty, M. I., J. P. La Fage, and W. L. Nutting. 1974. Seasonal activity and environmental control of foraging of the subterranean termite, Heterotermesaureus(Snyder), in a desert grassland. Life Sci. 15: 1091-1101.
[5] La Fage, J. P., M. I. Haverty, and W. L. Nutting. 1976. Environmental factors correlated with foraging behavior of a desert termite, Gnathamitermes perplexus(Banks) (Isoptera: Termitidae). Sociobiology 2: 155-169.
[6] Ueckert, D. N., M. C. Bodine, and B. M. Spears. 1976. Population density and biomass of the desert termite Gnathamitermes tubiformans(Isoptera: Termitidae) in a shortgrass prairie: relationship to temperature and moisture. Ecology 57: 1273-1280.
[7] Abensperg-Traun, M. 1991. Seasonal changes in activity of subterranean termite species (Isoptera) in Western Australian wheatbelt habitats. Australia Journal Ecology, 16: 331-336.
[8] Haagsma, K. A., and M. K. Rust. 1995. Colony size estimates, foraging trends, and physiological characteristics of the western subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Environ. Entomol. 24: 1520-1528.
[9] Rust, M. K., K. Haagsma, and J. Nyugen. 1996. Enhancing foraging of western subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in arid environments. Sociobiology 28: 275-286.
[10] Dibog, L., P. Eggelton, and F. Forzi. 1998. Seasonality of soil termites in a humid tropical forest, Mbalmayo, southern Cameroon. J. Trop. Ecol. 14: 841-850.
[11] Haverty, M. I., G. M. Getty, K. A. Copren, and V. R. Lewis. 1999. Seasonal foraging and feeding behaviour of Reticulitermesspp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in a wildlandand residential location in northern California. Environ. Entomol. 28: 1077-1084.
[12] Evans, T. A. and P. V. Gleeson, 2001. Seasonal and daily activity patterns of subterranean, wood-eating termite foragers. Australian Journal of Zoology, 49(3): 311-321. DOI: 10.107/ZO00083
[13] Dawes-Gromadski, T., and A. Spain, 2003. Seasonal patterns in the activity and species richness of surface-foraging termites (Isoptera) at paper baits in a tropical Australian savanna. J. Trop. Ecol. 19: 449-456.
[14] Messenger, M. T., and N. Y. Su. 2005. Colony characteristics and seasonal activity of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans, Louisiana. J. Entomol. Sci. 40: 268-279.
[15] Moura, F. M., S., A. Vasconcellos, V.F.P. Araujo, and A. G. Bandiera. 2006. Seasonality in foraging behaviour of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae)in the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil. Insectes Soc.53: 472-479.
[16] Lewis, V., S. Leighton, R. Tabuchi and M. Haverty, 2011. Seasonal and daily patterns in activity of the weasterndrywood termite, Incisitermes minor (Hagan). Insect, 2:555-563. DOI:10.3390/insects2040555.
[17] Potter, M. F., 2004. Termites: In A. Mallis, S. A. Hedges and D. Morelands (eds.), Handbook of Pest Control, Ninth Edition, GIE Media Inc., Cleveland, OH. Pp 217-361.
[18] Idham, S.H., P. B. Eric, A. Z. Patricia and S. H. Hokes, 2005. Impact of seasonal temperature and relative humidity on cellulose consumption by Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes virginicus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): In Chow-Yang Lee and William, H. Robinson (eds.), Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Urban Pests. P & Y Design Network, Malaysia, pp 179-187. Conference paper retrieved on 20 June, 2014 from www.icup.org.uk/report\ICUP029.pdf
[19] Reddy, M. V. and C. Sammaiah, 1991. Combied effects of climatic factors on the seasonal damage to structural wood in a semi-arid urban system. Energy Buil., 16: 947-955. DOI: 10.1016/0378-7788(91)900089-L
[20] Abdel, G. and E. Skai, 2011. Termite damage to buildings: Nature of Attacks and preventive construction methods. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 4(2): 187-200. ISSN: 1941-7020
[21] Adedeji, G. A. and A. A. Aiyeloja, 2014. Preference and Suitability of Nigeria grown Gmelina arborea Linn. Roxb. And Vitex doniana Sweet woods for beekeeping in Imeko, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research (IJSER), 5(5): 1484-1493. ISSN: 2229-5518
[22] Kugonza, D. R., Kamatara, K.B., Nabakabya, D., Kikonyogo, S. 2009. Effects of hive type and tree shade on colonization rate and pest prevalence of honeybee (Apis Mellifera) colonies in Central Uganda. Africa Journal of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, 4 (2): 87-92
[23] Oyerinde, A. A. and A. T. Ande, 2009. Distribution and Impact of Honeybee Pests on Colony Development in Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Social Sciences, 5:85-88. ISSN: 1814-960X08-025/SAE/2009/5-3-85-88
[24] Babarinde, S. A., M. O. Akanbi, T. A. Adebayo, J. I. Olaifa, A. F. Odewole and E. A. Alagbe, 2010. Effect of polythene and lime applied to top bars hive on colonization, weight gain and pest infestation. Annals of Biological Research, 1 (4): 61-66. ISSN 0976-1233
[25] Babarinde, S. A., M. O. Akanbi, F. A. Akinpelu, B. G. Oyelade, and B. Oyelami, 2011. Impact of canopy type on honey Bee (Apis mellifera adansonii) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colony performance and pest infestation. African Scientist, 11(3): 169-174. ISSN: 1595-6881
[26] Babarinde, S. A., A. F. Odewole, O. O. Oyegoke, and O. B. Amao, 2012. Impact of hive dimension and flight entrance on hive colonization, pest infestation and hive weight gain in Apis mellifera adansonii(Hymenoptera: Apidae). Munis Entomology and Zoology, 7 (1): 634-641
[27] Ogbonna, D. A., G. T. Amangabara, and T. O. Ekere, 2007. Urban solid waste generation in Port Harcourt metropolis and its implications for waste management. Management of Environmental Quality, 18 (1): 71-88. DOI: 10.1108/14777830710717730
[28] Malcolm Sanford, 1998. Pollination, The Forgotten Agricultural Input: In J. Ferguson, et al., (eds.) Proceedings of the Florida Agricultural Conference and Trade Show. 29-30 September, 1998, Lakeland, FL: 45-47
[29] Morse, R. A. and N. W. Calderone, 2000. The values of Honey Bees as Pollinators of US Crops. Cornell University, http://www.masterbeekeeper.org/pdf/pollination.pdf.
[30] Johnson, R., 2010. Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder. Congressional Research Service, 7-5700www.crs.govRL33938
[31] Breeze, T. D., A. P. Bailey, K. G. Balcombe and A. G. Potts, 2011. Pollination Services in the UK: How important are honeybees? Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 142 (3-4): 137-143. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2011.03.020
[32] Nageswara, R. A. and C. Sammaiah, 2012. Intensity of Foraging activity in Subterranean termites at Mulakalapally Forest Region, Khammam District, Andhrapradesh India. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Biomedical Analysis, 1(1): 1-9. ISSN: 2278-2664
[33] Cornelius, M. L. and W. L. A. Osbrink, 2011. Effect of seasonal changes in Soil Temperature and Moistures on wood consumption and foraging activity of Formosan subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 103(3): 1024-1030. DOI: 10.1603/EC10332
[1] Aiyeloja, A. A. and Adedeji, G. A. 2014. Preliminary survey of wood species cavities preferred by honeybees in Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research (IJSER), 5(2): 1313-1320. ISSN: 2229-5518
[2] UNEP, 2000. Finding alternatives to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for termite management. UNEP/FAO/Global IPM Facility Export Group on Termite Biology and Management Article 150pp retrieved on 20 June, 2014 from www.unep.org/chemicalssandwaste/Portals/9/ Pesticides-termite-fulldocument.pdf
[3] Wood, T. G. 1977. Food and feeding habits of termites. In: Brian, M.V. (ed.). Production Ecology of Ants and Termites. International Biological Programme, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Pp 55-80
[4] Haverty, M. I., J. P. La Fage, and W. L. Nutting. 1974. Seasonal activity and environmental control of foraging of the subterranean termite, Heterotermesaureus(Snyder), in a desert grassland. Life Sci. 15: 1091-1101.
[5] La Fage, J. P., M. I. Haverty, and W. L. Nutting. 1976. Environmental factors correlated with foraging behavior of a desert termite, Gnathamitermes perplexus(Banks) (Isoptera: Termitidae). Sociobiology 2: 155-169.
[6] Ueckert, D. N., M. C. Bodine, and B. M. Spears. 1976. Population density and biomass of the desert termite Gnathamitermes tubiformans(Isoptera: Termitidae) in a shortgrass prairie: relationship to temperature and moisture. Ecology 57: 1273-1280.
[7] Abensperg-Traun, M. 1991. Seasonal changes in activity of subterranean termite species (Isoptera) in Western Australian wheatbelt habitats. Australia Journal Ecology, 16: 331-336.
[8] Haagsma, K. A., and M. K. Rust. 1995. Colony size estimates, foraging trends, and physiological characteristics of the western subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Environ. Entomol. 24: 1520-1528.
[9] Rust, M. K., K. Haagsma, and J. Nyugen. 1996. Enhancing foraging of western subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in arid environments. Sociobiology 28: 275-286.
[10] Dibog, L., P. Eggelton, and F. Forzi. 1998. Seasonality of soil termites in a humid tropical forest, Mbalmayo, southern Cameroon. J. Trop. Ecol. 14: 841-850.
[11] Haverty, M. I., G. M. Getty, K. A. Copren, and V. R. Lewis. 1999. Seasonal foraging and feeding behaviour of Reticulitermesspp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in a wildlandand residential location in northern California. Environ. Entomol. 28: 1077-1084.
[12] Evans, T. A. and P. V. Gleeson, 2001. Seasonal and daily activity patterns of subterranean, wood-eating termite foragers. Australian Journal of Zoology, 49(3): 311-321. DOI: 10.107/ZO00083
[13] Dawes-Gromadski, T., and A. Spain, 2003. Seasonal patterns in the activity and species richness of surface-foraging termites (Isoptera) at paper baits in a tropical Australian savanna. J. Trop. Ecol. 19: 449-456.
[14] Messenger, M. T., and N. Y. Su. 2005. Colony characteristics and seasonal activity of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans, Louisiana. J. Entomol. Sci. 40: 268-279.
[15] Moura, F. M., S., A. Vasconcellos, V.F.P. Araujo, and A. G. Bandiera. 2006. Seasonality in foraging behaviour of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae)in the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil. Insectes Soc.53: 472-479.
[16] Lewis, V., S. Leighton, R. Tabuchi and M. Haverty, 2011. Seasonal and daily patterns in activity of the weasterndrywood termite, Incisitermes minor (Hagan). Insect, 2:555-563. DOI:10.3390/insects2040555.
[17] Potter, M. F., 2004. Termites: In A. Mallis, S. A. Hedges and D. Morelands (eds.), Handbook of Pest Control, Ninth Edition, GIE Media Inc., Cleveland, OH. Pp 217-361.
[18] Idham, S.H., P. B. Eric, A. Z. Patricia and S. H. Hokes, 2005. Impact of seasonal temperature and relative humidity on cellulose consumption by Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes virginicus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): In Chow-Yang Lee and William, H. Robinson (eds.), Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Urban Pests. P & Y Design Network, Malaysia, pp 179-187. Conference paper retrieved on 20 June, 2014 from www.icup.org.uk/report\ICUP029.pdf
[19] Reddy, M. V. and C. Sammaiah, 1991. Combied effects of climatic factors on the seasonal damage to structural wood in a semi-arid urban system. Energy Buil., 16: 947-955. DOI: 10.1016/0378-7788(91)900089-L
[20] Abdel, G. and E. Skai, 2011. Termite damage to buildings: Nature of Attacks and preventive construction methods. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 4(2): 187-200. ISSN: 1941-7020
[21] Adedeji, G. A. and A. A. Aiyeloja, 2014. Preference and Suitability of Nigeria grown Gmelina arborea Linn. Roxb. And Vitex doniana Sweet woods for beekeeping in Imeko, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research (IJSER), 5(5): 1484-1493. ISSN: 2229-5518
[22] Kugonza, D. R., Kamatara, K.B., Nabakabya, D., Kikonyogo, S. 2009. Effects of hive type and tree shade on colonization rate and pest prevalence of honeybee (Apis Mellifera) colonies in Central Uganda. Africa Journal of Animal and Biomedical Sciences, 4 (2): 87-92
[23] Oyerinde, A. A. and A. T. Ande, 2009. Distribution and Impact of Honeybee Pests on Colony Development in Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Social Sciences, 5:85-88. ISSN: 1814-960X08-025/SAE/2009/5-3-85-88
[24] Babarinde, S. A., M. O. Akanbi, T. A. Adebayo, J. I. Olaifa, A. F. Odewole and E. A. Alagbe, 2010. Effect of polythene and lime applied to top bars hive on colonization, weight gain and pest infestation. Annals of Biological Research, 1 (4): 61-66. ISSN 0976-1233
[25] Babarinde, S. A., M. O. Akanbi, F. A. Akinpelu, B. G. Oyelade, and B. Oyelami, 2011. Impact of canopy type on honey Bee (Apis mellifera adansonii) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colony performance and pest infestation. African Scientist, 11(3): 169-174. ISSN: 1595-6881
[26] Babarinde, S. A., A. F. Odewole, O. O. Oyegoke, and O. B. Amao, 2012. Impact of hive dimension and flight entrance on hive colonization, pest infestation and hive weight gain in Apis mellifera adansonii(Hymenoptera: Apidae). Munis Entomology and Zoology, 7 (1): 634-641
[27] Ogbonna, D. A., G. T. Amangabara, and T. O. Ekere, 2007. Urban solid waste generation in Port Harcourt metropolis and its implications for waste management. Management of Environmental Quality, 18 (1): 71-88. DOI: 10.1108/14777830710717730
[28] Malcolm Sanford, 1998. Pollination, The Forgotten Agricultural Input: In J. Ferguson, et al., (eds.) Proceedings of the Florida Agricultural Conference and Trade Show. 29-30 September, 1998, Lakeland, FL: 45-47
[29] Morse, R. A. and N. W. Calderone, 2000. The values of Honey Bees as Pollinators of US Crops. Cornell University, http://www.masterbeekeeper.org/pdf/pollination.pdf.
[30] Johnson, R., 2010. Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder. Congressional Research Service, 7-5700www.crs.govRL33938
[31] Breeze, T. D., A. P. Bailey, K. G. Balcombe and A. G. Potts, 2011. Pollination Services in the UK: How important are honeybees? Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 142 (3-4): 137-143. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2011.03.020
[32] Nageswara, R. A. and C. Sammaiah, 2012. Intensity of Foraging activity in Subterranean termites at Mulakalapally Forest Region, Khammam District, Andhrapradesh India. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Biomedical Analysis, 1(1): 1-9. ISSN: 2278-2664
[33] Cornelius, M. L. and W. L. A. Osbrink, 2011. Effect of seasonal changes in Soil Temperature and Moistures on wood consumption and foraging activity of Formosan subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 103(3): 1024-1030. DOI: 10.1603/EC10332
@article{"International Journal of Biological, Life and Agricultural Sciences:67808", author = "A. A. Aiyeloja and G.A. Adedeji and S. L. Larinde", title = "Influence of Seasons on Honeybee Wooden Hives Attack by Termites in Port Harcourt, Nigeria", abstract = "Termites have been observed as major pre-colonisation and post-colonisation pest insect of honeybees’ wooden hives in Nigeria. However, pest situation studies in modern beekeeping have been largely directed towards those pests that affect honeybees rather than the biological structure (wood) which houses the honeybees and the influence of seasons on the pests’ activities against the hives. This study, therefore, investigated the influence of seasons on the intensity of hives attacks by termites for 2 years in University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State using visual inspection. The Experimental Apiary was established with 15 Kenyan’s top bar hives made of Triplochiton scleroxylon wood that were strategically placed and observed within the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management arboretum. The colonies hives consistently showed comparatively lower termite’s infestation levels in the dry season and, consequently, also lower attacks on the colonized hives. The result indicated raining season as a distinct period for more destructive activities of termites on the hives and strongly associated with dryness of the hives. Since previous study and observations have linked colonization with dry season coupled with minimal attacked on colonized hives; the non-colonised hives should be removed from the field at the onset of raining season and returned two weeks prior to dry season to reduce hives degradation by pests.
", keywords = "Attack, hives degradation, Nigeria, seasons, termites.", volume = "8", number = "8", pages = "878-4", }
