Abstract
Two locations were chosen during dry and wet seasons, in Western Saudi Arabia, during 1996 and 1997 to monitor field populations of the harvester termite Anacanthotermes ochraceus (Burmeister). Data showed that the activities of this termite increased significantly during and after the rainy season. Chi-square ( chi super(2)) analysis showed that the population of A. ochraceus during dry and wet seasons were significantly related (P<0.001). The minimum and maximum nest size in the first location, Dallah Tower, during dry and wet seasons, ranges from 57cm super(3) to 4253cm super(3) with an average of 1068cm super(3) and from 340cm super(3) to 9188cm super(3) with an average of 1068cm super(3), respectively, whereas in the 2nd location, University Campus, the values range from 191cm super(3) to 2363cm super(3) with an average of 717cm super(3) and from 355cm super(3) to 5988cm super(3) with an average 1756cm super(3), respectively. Nests monitored showed more activity and an increase in nest size in both locations. However the total number of nests (all sizes) in the 1st and 2nd locations was 1075 nests and 725 nests per acre respectively.