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Determination of feeding preference of Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) for some amino acid additives

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Abstract

A choice feeding test using 21 amino acids was conducted to determine the feeding preference of Formosan subterranean termite,Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, in the laboratory. Significantly more filter paper treated withd-aspartic acid orl-glutamic acid was consumed by Formosan subterranean termites than was control filter paper treated with water. In two-choice feeding tests, termites consumed significantly more filter paper treated withd-aspartic acid orl-aspartic acid than paper treated with water. Addingl-proline,l-lysine, orl-isoleucine to filter paper significantly increased consumption compared with control filter paper in no-choice tests. The use of amino acid additives in termite baits is briefly discussed.

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Chen, J., Henderson, G. Determination of feeding preference of Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) for some amino acid additives. J Chem Ecol 22, 2359–2369 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02029552

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