ACTIVITY OF MOUND-BUILDING MACROTERMES BELLICOSUS (ISOPTERA: TERMITIDAE) AROUND KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS GUINEA SAVANNAH ECOZONE, NIGERIA
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Date
2018
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Abstract
This study was designed to investigate Macrotermes bellicosus, nesting mounds,
abundance and activity in the savannah ecological zone of Kwara State, North-Central,
Nigeria. The research was conducted at four randomly selected villages around and
including Kwara State University. A systematic survey of visible mounds of M. bellicosus
was carried out over the entire study area. Also, the heights of mounds were measured
using a measuring tape. M. bellicosus collection was conducted using baited traps
consisting of cardboard, toilet tissue, wooden stakes and wood shaving. These were
embedded or placed on ground within plots at a regular distance of 10 m and checked
twice weekly. The samples collected per baited trap per plot per location were preserved
in 90 % ethanol and identified. Similarly, survey of physically damaged items was
conducted and recorded to observe termite activity. The result from the four different
locations of the study showed that the number of M. bellicosus mounds in urban area was
the highest in urban site (74.33 ± 5.93) and was significant when compared to the other
locations. Farmland had the tallest M. bellicosus mound (17.3 cm) followed by
uncultivated land mass (15 cm), while the least mean height (12 cm) was encountered at
the urban area. The abundance and distribution of the M. bellicosus showed no
significant difference when comparing the study locations except in urban site. Proper
precautions on protection of the building and barns are recommended.