Termites of a South African savanna

Summary

Cellulose toilet roll baits were exposed in three different subhabitats at Nylsvley Reserve, northern Transvaal, and respective attacks by up to eight species of termites are described and illustrated. In broad-leaved savanna attack was principally by Microcerotermes, a slow feeder that attacked rolls throughout the year, finding about half the rolls exposed each season. In Acacia savanna attack was largely by Microtermes, a fast feeder active only at wetter times of year. In open, grassy areas there was relatively little attack, except sporadically by Macrotermes which consumed whole rolls within a day or two. Bush-fires delayed initial attack on rolls, perhaps because reduced surface litter gave less protection to soil. The amount of each roll eaten during the trials is shown in histograms; it was consistently greater in Acacia than in broad-leaved savanna. The soil-feeding termites Aganotermes and Promirotermes were attracted during the wet season to the undersides of rolls, perhaps as a source of organic-rich soil (or possibly of water).