FOOD PREFERENCE OF Microcerotermes diversus Silv. (ISOPTERA, TERMITIDAE) TO THE WOODS OF SOME FOREST TREES*

The result of feeding preference study of the termite Microcerotermes diversus Silv to the different species of wood tested ( Platanus orientals , Populus nigra , Cupresses sempervirens , Salix acmophylla ,, Pinus brutia and Eccalyptus camaledulensis ). Under both artificial and natural infection conditions. The insect preferred the wood of Platanus, Salix and Populus trees; the general mean of weight loss for wood during the period of experiment were: 65.95, 55.77, 26.35 and 37.85, 23.16, 37.74 gr. respectively, on the other hands Pinus and Cupressus wood showed loss preferred by the termite and gave 2.42, 2.89 gr. For natural infection and 4.95, 6.11 gr. for artificial infection respectively. The results obtained from study for wood preference and the free choice method emphasized the previous results.