A quantitative study of seasonal foraging by the grass harvesting termite, Trinervitermes geminatus (Wasmann), (Isoptera, Nasutitermitinae) in Southern Guinea savanna, Mokwa, Nigeria

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Abstract
T. 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 while some is ingested. Foraging is mainly accomplished during the dry season (mid-Oct. 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.degree. C and an upper threshold of 35.degree. 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-1yr-1 with approximately 18 kg ha-1yr-1 cut and left as litter. Estimated consumption while foraging was approximately 20.4 kg ha-1yr-1, giving a total consumption of about 81 kg ha-1yr-1. Compared with a total estimated grass production of 3157 kg ha-1yr-1 and consumption by cattle of 1404 kg ha-1yr-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.