Preliminary studies on growth and survival of long winged (Macrotermes subhyalinus Rambur) raised in three different organic substrates under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Forty long winged reproductive termites (Macrotermes subhyalinus Rambur) of weights ranging from 0.16 – 0.23g and lengths 0.17 – 0.84 cm were cultured in soil substrate, cellulose substrate and agricultural waste substrate in boxes (0.9m x 0.3m x 0.14m) for 28 days.  The best mean weight gain (0.08g), relative growth rate (47.06%), specific growth rate (0.62%) and feed conversion ratio of 0.80 were recorded from the soil-substrate raised termite while the lowest were from cellulose substrate.  The best survival rate of 75% was from the control substrate followed by 50% from agricultural wastes while the lowest of 25% was recorded from cellulose substrates.