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Mechanisms of recruitment for the retrieval of food in Amitermes evuncifer Silvestri (Isoptera: Termitidae: Termitinae)

Abstract

The study revealed that there was quantitative recruitment in colonies of Amitermes evuncifer, whenever food was discovered by the scouting foragers. Discovered food stimulated the termites to accelerate their running speed, to and from the food source. Increased trail-laying activity, accelerated movement and carrying of food by the returning workers facilitated recruitment of other confederates from their nest. These activities equally directed the recruited termites to the food source. Amitermes evuncifer was observed to regulate traffic in relation to newly discovered food source. The results showed that there was rapid communication between the termites of food source within 3-4 min. It was further observed that the trail to newly found food source did not become dominant over the trail to the already existing food source. The results showed clearly the effect of food on vital activities of termite

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