Original Research

Seasonal activity of savanna termites during and after severe drought

L.E.O. Braack
Koedoe | Vol 38, No 1 | a307 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v38i1.307 | © 1995 National Parks Board
Submitted: 25 August 1995 | Published: 25 August 1995

About the author(s)

L.E.O. Braack, Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Abstract

As part of a broad programme to record the influence of severe drought on selected target populations, two taxa of termite were monitored over a 24-month period in the southern Kruger National Park, South Africa. Activity of harvester termites Hodotermes mossambicus reached highest levels during the drought, while macrotermitine Allodontermes rhodesiensis and Microtermes sp appear to favour less extreme levels of rainfall. The general impact of termites in the KNP is discussed and related to studies elsewhere in Africa.

Keywords

drought, termites, savanna, Hodotermes, Allodontermes, Microtermes.

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