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

Abstract

AbstractField 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.