Abstract

Seven commercially-available mulches were aged outdoors for 0, 6 and 12 months then compared for suitability to the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in non-choice and multi-choice tests under laboratory conditions. Mean differences in mulch consumption, individual termite weight change, and termite worker survival were examined in non-choice tests while mulch consumption and termite aggregation were measured in multi-choice tests. Non-choice tests did not reveal differences in consumption between mulches of the same age. However, mulch consumption and survival increased with mulch age and termite weight loss decreased with mulch age. In multi-choice tests feeding and aggregation preferences shifted with mulch age.