Mound population movements and fluctuations inTrinervitermes ebenerianus Sjöstedt (Isoptera, termitidæ, nasutitermitinæ)

Summary

The small domed mounds ofT. ebenerianus (Sjöstedt) were sampled, using a club with a sharpened tubular side arm, to avoid bias due to the disturbance of population caused by hammering in a pipe auger. The area sampled was in open savannah vegetation with scrubby bushes and scattered trees. The soil was «upper slope reddish-brown sandy loam». Fluctuations in the population density and percentage of young stages are related to a hypothetical annual cycle of activity depending on climatic conditions. Diurnal changes in mound populations were detected, but these cannot readily be related to climatic conditions, mound populations being depressed at night in most cases. When these movements take place, the alate nymphs are more rapidly affected, and more soldiers remain behind. Rough estimates of total populations in terms of individuals per acre are given.