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MAGNETIC TERMITE FACTS |
Identification
The Magnetic termite soldiers have incurved mandibles with a single tooth. They get there name because they build their large wedge-shaped mounds with the long side aligned north-south. These large mounds are familiar to tourists.
Size
Soldier: length 4mm - 6mm
Habitat
found on seasonally flooded plains. Colonies are generally isolated from each other.
Food
feeds on grass and vegetation
Breeding
Amitermes meridionalis builds wedge-shaped mounds, called compass mounds or magnetic mounds. These large termite mounds are 3m - 4m high, and up to 2.5m wide and 1m thick at the ground.
Range
found in northern parts of Northern Territory around Darwin
Notes
This termite does not damage buildings and is of little economic importance. Where the mounds are a problem, they can be knocked down and sprayed with insecticide.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Isoptera | | Family: | Termitidae | | Genus: | Amitermes | | Species: | meridionalis | | Common Name: | Magnetic Termite |
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