TERMITES

TERMITES belong to the order of insects known as the Isoptera. Although they are commonly referred to as white ants, they are not related to the ants which are members of the order Hymenoptera, containing the bees, wasps, sawflies as well as the ants. However, like the true ants, termites are social insects living in colonies which contain many individuals of differing appearance and function. The obvious colonies to be found in the Aranda Bushland are of two mound building species, Nasutitermes exitiosus and Coptotermes lacteus. Both species are deadwood feeders. and their colonies contain two to three million nymphs, workers and soldiers and one king and one queen.

Earth Mound

Clay Mound

The Nasutitermes builds a low, 20 30 centimetre high domed mound covered by a thin earthen material. Inside the mound is a network of galleries made up of soil, saliva and faecal material. In the centre is a nursery area. The Coptotermes mound is much higher, up to two metres high, and it is more robust being covered in a thick clay outer layer with a honeycomb like network of galleries inside. As with Nasutitermes. the nursery is in the centre.

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