Open AccessTERMITES (ISOPTERA) ASSOCIATED WITH DUNG IN AUSTRALIA
Author(s) -
Ferrar P.,
Watson J. A. L.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1970.tb00778.x
Subject(s) - termitidae , rhinotermitidae , biology , dung beetle , genus , moisture , agronomy , ecology , scarabaeidae , materials science , composite material
Termites play an important role in removing dry dung pads from Australian pastures. They feed on fibre in the pads, replacing it with soil or carton in about 12 weeks. Attacks on wet dung are less frequent, and the termites are probably then seeking moisture. The termites recorded from dung in Australia are listed, with notes on their food records. Only Mastotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae have been recorded from dung. The genus Amitermes predominates, and the most frequently recorded species are polyphagic scavengers.