The role of microbial decay and subterranean termites (Blattodea: Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in loss of litter mass was evaluated on the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve (TGPP) of The Nature Conservancy in northeastern Oklahoma. Four field sites, each consisting of four blocks of land with each block sub-divided into two plots were established. Using in-ground baiting systems, termites were eliminated from one plot in each block. Galvanized steel mesh bags containing grass litter were placed on both the soil surface and buried 15 cm deep in plots containing foraging termites (not baited), and in plots without termites (baited) and evaluated for loss of litter mass after 12 months. Loss of litter mass from soil-surface bags in termite-infested, non-baited plots was 22.3%, while loss from soil-surface bags in termite-free baited plots was 25.0%. Loss of litter mass from buried bags in termite non-baited plots was 35.5%, while loss from buried bags in termite-free baited plots was 35.7%. There were no significant differences in loss of litter mass in non-baited versus baited plots, but loss of mass from buried bags was significantly greater than that from soil surface bags.

Termite researchers on The Nature Conservancy's Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in northeast Oklahoma have long been interested about nutritional resources used by subterranean termites inhabiting the Preserve. In 12-week choice and no-choice laboratory feeding tests, subterranean termites were fed a mixture of stems-and-leaves, or roots only, of four predominant grasses growing on the Preserve: Indiangrass - Sorghastrum nutans L; Switchgrass - Panicum vigatum L; Big Bluestem - Andropogan gerardii Vitman; and Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.). Termites consumed all of these food choices but preferred roots compared with stems and leaves. In choice feeding tests, termites preferred Switchgrass roots. In no-choice feeding tests, roots of Indiangrass and Big Bluestem were consumed in greatest amounts. All four grasses were palatable to Reticulitermes tibialis, a subterranean termite common throughout the Preserve.

The three purposes of this study were to conduct a statewide surveillance program for Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Formosan subterranean termite), conduct a concurrent survey of termite species found across Oklahoma, and identify and validate Oklahoma termite species using PCR technology. Monitoring devices consisting of cylindrical in-ground monitors, soil-surface ground-boards, and elevated light traps were installed across southern Oklahoma to collect termites. County extension agents and pest management professionals cooperated by submitting termite samples. Additionally, inspections of landscaping timbers and railroad crossties were conducted at commercial outlets because these imported products may contain Formosan subterranean termites. Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), R. hageni Banks, R. tibialis Banks, R. virginicus (Banks) and Gnathamitermes tubiformans (Buckley) were collected, expanding the known distribution of these species in Oklahoma. However, C. formosanus Shiraki was not found although its eventual spread into Oklahoma appears certain. Termites were morphologically identified using alates and soldiers. Termites were also identified and validated by DNA sequencing and using BLAST on GENBANK.

Recent changes in termite management technologies have stimulated a need for better understanding of basic termite ecology. Studies estimating the number of individuals in foraging populations and foraging territory sizes of subterranean termite colonies have been conducted in many areas of the United States. However, colonies of Reticulitermes Occurring in the central Great Plains have not been well characterized. Results of studies conducted with three colonies of R. flavipes (Kollar) on an Oklahoma native tallgrass prairie are provided herein. Foraging population numbers, foraging areas, maximum linear foraging distances and soldier caste ratios were determined. Estimated foraging areas for individual colonies ranged from 9.0 to 92.3 m(2). Colonies contained 10,357 to 183,495 foragers. Soldiers comprised 2.69 to 4.46% of the foraging populations. We conclude that rather than the result of a few large Populations, the widespread termite pressure in this native habitat is likely the result of many small colonies foraging in close proximity.