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Mound-building termites are a group of termite species that live in mounds,
made of a combination of soil, termite saliva and dung.
Most of the mounds are in well-drained areas, and usually outlive the colonies themselves. Sometimes other colonies, of the same or different species, occupy a mound after the original builders' deaths.
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Termite mounds are found in Africa, and South America as well as australia, but today’s questions concern two species of termites found only in Aus:
what are the common names of these two australian species of mound building termites?The first is
Amitermes meridionalis
the common names of the mounds derive from the fact that their wedge-shaped mound is aligned with its main axis running north and south
The second is
Nasutitermes triodiae,
a grass-eating species found in Northern Territory,
Sometimes referred to as the spinifex termite it is also widely known by another name that describes the church-like structure of the mounds —
tall fortresses built of upright columns
that are hollow to allow for internal air circulation
columns are tough and able to withstand the rigors of wind, rain, heat, and hungry predators.
these mounds can reach up to 5 metres or more in height
