title: A quantitative study of seasonal foraging by the grass harvesting termite, Trinervitermes geminatus (Wasmann), (Isoptera, Nasutitermitinae) in Southern Guinea savanna, Mokwa, Nigeria.
abstract: Trinervitermes geminatus (Wasmann) harvests standing grass tussocks which are cut into pieces and carried back to the nest. During this activity a certain proportion is left on the soil surface as litter whilst some is ingested. Foraging is mainly accomplished during the dry season (mid-October to the end of April) for periods of 2-4 h daily, either early in the morning, in the evening, or occasionally during both morning and evening. The duration and daily pattern of foraging is partly dependent on temperature, with a lower temperature threshold of 20° C and an upper threshold of 35° C below or above which foraging is restricted.The quantity of grass cut down and carried back to the nest by a population of 737 m-2(3.08 g m-2) was estimated at 60.3 kg ha-1a-1with approximately 18 kg ha-1a-1cut and left as litter. Estimated consumption whilst foraging was approximately 20.4 kg ha-1a-1, giving a total consumption of about 81 kg ha-1a-1. Compared with a total estimated grass production of 3157 kg ha-1a-1and consumption by cattle of 1404 kg ha-1a-1, the quantity of grass removed by T. geminatus, amounting to only 3.1% of the net primary production, did not appear to be economically significant in this locality.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ohiagu