Aspects of foraging in the harvester termite, Trinervitermes trinervoides (Sjöstedt) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)

Foraging behaviour and the diurnal and seasonal foraging periodicity of the southern African snouted harvester termite, Trinervitermes trinervoides (Sjöstedt), are described. The termite usually foraged during summer nights when ambient temperatures were 10–14 °C. Foraging occurred at temperatures between 13–25 °C under laboratory conditions. A foraging party emerging from a single hole harvested over an area of approximately 0.78 m2. A colony exploited a total area of approximately 214 m2 and foraging areas of adjacent colonies overlapped. Colonies occupy single mounds.