Mark-release-recapture estimates of Reticulitermes spp (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) colony foraging populations from Georgia, USA

Three subterranean termite species [eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar); R. virginicus (Banks); and R. hageni (Banks)] were included in 67 mark-release-recapture experiments conducted with 57 different colonies in Georgia over 3 yr (1992, 1993, and 1995). Data were collected in 1992-1993 under a triple-mark-release protocol and analyzed using 2 mathematical models-the Lincoln index and a weighted mean model. During 1995, data were collected using a single release of marked termites followed by 3 collections and analyzed using the Lincoln index. In addition, 71 different termite infested logs were returned to the laboratory where termites were extracted and counted. Termite foraging population estimates ranged from 106 to 1,453,021 for the weighted mean model and 127 to 384,617 for the Lincoln index in 1992-1993. The 1995 Lincoln index estimates ranged from 1,463 to 3,547,152 termites per colony. The numbers of termites extracted from infested logs ranged from 1,033 to 344,457 termites per log. Both mathematical models applied to the 1992-1993 data provided similar population estimates. The 1995 Lincoln index data provided population estimates which were higher than the 1992-1993 data median 98,202 and 28,473 termites per colony, respectively Results of these mark-release-recapture experiments, when examined by capture cycle, suggest that the biology of subterranean termites may violate some of the assumptions of these mathematical models for estimating population size.