HARVESTING RATE OF THE TERMITE, DREPANOTERMES TAMMINENSIS (HILL) WITHIN NATIVE WOODLAND AND SHRUBLAND OF THE WESTERN-AUSTRALIAN WHEAT-BELT

The Western Australian termite, Drepanotermes tamminensis (Hill), harv ests various plant materials according to biomass availability. The ma in litter components harvested by this termite in a woodland dominated by Eucalyptus capillosa are bark and leaves of the major tree species , while in shrubland dominated by Allocasuarina campestris, shoots of this species are taken. Harvesting mainly occurs during the autumn (Ap ril-May) and spring (September-October) seasons. The commencement and duration of harvesting appears to depend partly on weather conditions, with harvesting taking place at temperatures between 15 and 25 degree s C after periods of rain. This species of termite harvests approximat ely 15.6 g m(-2)year(-1) and 3.2 g m(2)year(-1) (dry weight of plant m aterial) in the woodland and shrubland, respectively.