Observations on the foraging activity of <i>Hospitalitermes umbrinus</i> (Haviland), (Isoptera: Termitidae) in the Gunong Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Abstract

Abstract. 1. A single nest of the black surface‐foraging nasute termite Hospitalitermes umbrinus was studied for 5 days in July 1978. Foraging parties of workers and soldiers tend to leave the nest in a continuous stream in the evening and return carrying food balls during the following morning. 2. An estimated maximum of 500000 individuals were involved in the foraging excursions. At a density of 3 nests ha ‐1 , the total foraging population is estimated as being at least 180 m ‐2 . 3. The colony brought back an estimated 46.4 g (d.w.) of food in 4 days. The biomass of the colony was estimated at 349 g (d.w.) ( c. 1396 g w.w.) excluding alates and the consumption at 8.3 mg (d.w.) g ‐1 (w.w.) d ‐1 . 4. The food balls were found to be of two types, light and dark coloured. The light balls contained wood constituents, bryophytes, blue‐green algae and fungal hyphae while the dark balls consisted mainly of lichens and their spores. 5. Swarming began at 14.30 hours on 9 July and ended with the nuptial flight at 17.32 hours. About 3000 alates were released. They climbed to 9 m on a tree before taking off.