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Observations on the foraging behaviour of the harvester termite, Hodotermes mossambicus (Hagen) (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

F. D. Duncan  and
P. H. Hewitt
F. D. Duncan
Affiliation:
Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
P. H. Hewitt
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
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Abstract

Field observations on the foraging behaviour of Hodotermes mossambicus (Hagen) showed that workers did not exhibit any marked preference for a particular grass species in a degraded savanna area in the north-western Orange Free State, South Africa. Two commercial baits, with carbaryl and sodium fluosilicate as their active ingredients, are used for H. mossambicus control; these baits were shorter, heavier and wider than the natural plant material collected by the workers. Thus, they are probably not transported as readily into the nest as the natural food. Minor workers were observed to be mainly responsible for transporting plant material, while the major workers were primarily responsible for cutting it. Observations on laboratory colonies indicated that workers collected litter first and thereafter harvested a tussock of grass from the top downwards. Foraging stopped once the tussock had been trimmed to a height of approximately 3 cm.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 79 , Issue 4 , November 1989 , pp. 631 - 642
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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