Summary
Processional trails (foraging expeditions) of the black termiteLongipeditermes longipes (Haviland) from a nest changed frequently during observations in a secondary rainforest on Penang Island, Malaysia, over a four month period. Nearly all of the length covered by the trails was above the ground along dead branches and shrubs and trees. The distance covered by the trails ranged from 6 to over 39 metres. Processional activity appeared to be influenced strongly by climatic conditions and during wet weather none was usually recorded. Most activity was observed in the morning between 8.00 and 11.30 am.
Résumé
Selon des observations étalées sur 4 mois en forêt tropicale secondaire dans l'île de Penang en Malaisie, les pistes tracées depuis un nid par des Termites noirsLongipeditermes longipes (Haviland) changèrent tous les jours. Les pistes étaient à la surface du sol sur presque toute leur longueur, le long de branches mortes, d'arbustes et d'arbres. Elles s'échelonnaient sur 6 à 39 mètres. Il apparut que l'activité sur les pistes dépendait beaucoup des conditions climatiques, elle fut habituellement nulle par temps de pluie. L'activité la plus importente fut observée de 8 à 11 h 30.
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References
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This study was carried out while the authors were at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Science, Penang, Malaysia.
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Gray, B., Dhanarajan, G. Processional trails of the black termiteLongipeditermes longipes (Haviland) (Isoptera: Termitidae). Ins. Soc 21, 151–155 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02222939
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02222939