A method for sampling the populations of large termite nests

SUMMARY A method for sampling the population of large Macrotermes nests is described. Fumigation with methyl bromide was followed by complete extraction of the nest contents. Termites and fungus comb fragments were separated from soil by flotation in water. Results for fumigated and live-dug nests were compared. Sampling without prior fumigation caused the population and biomass to be underestimated by up to an order of magnitude. Caste and instar ratios were also distorted in ways that were not consistent but were affected by the size of the nest. It is therefore concluded that methyl bromide fumigation is a valuable technique for sampling the populations of Macrotermes nests.