African termite
The African termite, belonging to the genus Macrotermes, is a small, light-brown insect that typically grows to less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long. Found primarily in the dry savannas and forests of northern Africa, these termites are known for their large underground nests, which feature tall chimneys that help with ventilation. African termites live in colonies that can number in the millions, ruled by a single king and queen. The queen, which can grow up to 5.5 inches (14 centimeters), may lay up to 40,000 eggs per day and dictates the caste system within the colony through the release of specific chemicals.
Each termite within the colony has distinct roles, categorized as workers, soldiers, or reproductives. Worker termites are responsible for nurturing the young and foraging for food, while soldiers protect the colony from predators. The unique diet of African termites includes a fungus cultivated in specialized chambers, which provides essential nutrients, especially during food scarcity periods. While these termites face predation from various animals like aardvarks and birds, their complex social structure and nest architecture reflect their adaptation to their environment, allowing them to thrive in challenging conditions.
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African termite
The African termite is one of the fungus-growing termites in the family of higher termites. The tall chimneys of the nests of these termites are often seen through the dry savanna and forest habitats of northern Africa.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Uniramia
Class: Insecta
Order: Isoptera
Family: Termitidae
Genus: Macrotermes
Species: Subhyalinus
The African termite is a small, blind, light-brown insect, which generally grows to be less than 1 inch (2 1/2 centimeters) long. These tiny creatures spend their lives constructing and maintaining enormous subterranean, or underground, nests throughout many of the dry savannas of northern Africa.
Like other termites, the African termite lives in a massive colony of up to several million termites. This colony is lead by a single king and queen termite. The queen termite spends all of her time producing and laying eggs, for she is the mother of the entire colony. A full-grown queen may reach lengths of up to 5 1/2 inches (14 centimeters) and may produce as many as 40,000 eggs in a single day.
As led by the queen and king African termite, the colony is divided into strict groups, or castes. Each termite in the colony has a specific task as a worker, reproductive, or soldier termite. Members of the worker caste spend their time caring for the queen, raising the young, and finding food, while soldier termites protect the colony from aggressive centipedes, spiders, and ants. Reproductive African termites are the only members to leave the colony. These termites leave the colony, find mates, and create new colonies.
The caste of each of the young African termites is determined by the queen termite. The queen does this by producing special chemicals along with her eggs. The chemicals are passed to the worker termites as they groom and clean the queen and are then passed to the young during the feeding process. By doing this the queen can control how many workers, reproductives, and soldiers are added to the colony each day. Eventually, as the young African termites grow they are able to leave the nursery chambers and join the social structure of the colony in their rightful positions.
The African termite builds its nest under the ground. In a network of tunnels and chambers the termites live and work. As a fungus-growing termite, the African termite has a special chamber for hanging what scientists call "fungus combs." These "combs" are actually fungus-covered termite waste. The fungus breaks down the waste into nutrients which the termites can digest. These fungus-growing chambers are especially useful during the dry season in the African savanna when there is little other food available.
Although the African termite builds its nest under the ground, it also builds a tall chimney which reaches above the ground. This chimney is designed to ventilate, or move air, through the nest. Inside the chimney are many small airways and one central airway. These passages keep air moving in and out of the nest for breathing and for temperature control. This type of nest construction is one reason that the African termite is a considered a higher termite.
African termites are at risk of predation from aardvarks, frogs, pangolins, and birds. Like other termites, the African termite can live a very long time, though their lifespans vary. While worker termites may only live for a few months, some king and queen termites may live more than forty years.
Bibliography
“African Termite Fact File.” The Animal Facts, 2023, www.theanimalfacts.com/insects-spiders/african-termites/?expand‗article=1. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.
Rebelo, Tony. “Termite Genera of Southern Africa.” iNaturalist, 3 June 2023, www.inaturalist.org/posts/80667-termite-genera-of-southern-africa. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.
“Termites.” Fascinating Africa, 2024, fascinatingafrica.com/species/termites. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.