For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Northern Harvester Termites (Hodotermes mossambicus)

Family Hodotermitidae
These are large with the soldier reaching a body length of 7-13mm and the queen, 25mm.
Grass and other plant matter is collected for storage.
 Nest system are 1.5 – 7m underground and diffuse, tunnels leading from piles of cut grass and numerous, turreted soil dumps to temporary subterranean grass-storage shelves. All tunnels finally descend to spherical hives (up to 20), each around 60cm in diameter, surrounded by grass-storage chambers and made of fragile, black, horizontal shelves of chewed vegetable matter.
 These are filled with nymphs and house the queen and king.
Info: Field Guide to Insects of South Africa

1 comment:

Diane said...

Looks like there is a good pair of nippers on the head of the one in the top photo. Think I will keep away! Take care Diane