Odontotermes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fungus-growing termites |
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| The alate, soldier, minor worker and queen of O. horni | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Blattodea |
| Infraorder: | Isoptera |
| Family: | Termitidae |
| Genus: | Odontotermes Holmgren, 1912 |
Odontotermes, also called fungus-growing termites, are a type of termite. They live in the warmer parts of the world, like Africa and Asia. These termites are known for growing their own food: a special kind of fungus! They can sometimes cause damage to wooden homes and farms in tropical areas. In Africa, there are many different kinds of Odontotermes termites, with 78 species found by 2002.
Contents
Termite Homes: Nests
Fungus-growing termites build their homes underground. These homes often create a small mound of earth above the ground. This mound might be covered with grass.
Big Colonies, Big Mounds
If a termite colony is very large, their mounds can grow quite big. Some mounds can be up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) wide! These bigger mounds might even have shrubs and trees growing on them.
Air Vents and Fungal Gardens
Some types of Odontotermes termites build open chimneys or vent holes. These holes go down into the mound. Inside the nest, the termites have a special area called a fungal garden. This garden is covered by a thick layer of clay to protect it.
Termite Roles: Castes
Termite colonies have different types of termites, each with a special job. These groups are called castes.
The Queen Termite
At the very center of the fungal garden, the queen termite lives in a special clay room. She is protected there and lays all the eggs for the colony.
Soldier Termites
Unlike some other termite groups, African Odontotermes species usually have only one type of soldier termite. These soldiers are responsible for protecting the colony from dangers.
What Termites Eat: Food
Fungus-growing termites have a very unique diet. Their only food is the fungus they grow in their special fungal gardens.
How They Grow Their Food
The termites grow their fungus on a mix of different materials. This includes wood, bark, dead leaves, dry animal waste, and dry grass. They collect these materials and often cover them with a type of cement. This makes it easier for them to gather food during the day.
Helping Nature
Odontotermes termites play an important role in nature. They help break down dead plants and other materials. This process is called decomposition, and it helps recycle nutrients back into the soil. Some specific types of fungus, like Termitomyces reticulatus, are found growing with O. badius and O. transvaalensis termites in Africa.
Types of Fungus-Growing Termites: Species
Here are some of the different species of Odontotermes termites:
- Odontotermes assmuthi – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes badius – found in Africa
- Odontotermes ceylonicus – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes escherichi – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes feae – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes formosanus – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes globicola – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes horni – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes koenigi – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes latericius – found in Africa
- Odontotermes obesus – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes preliminaris – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes redemanni – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes taprobanes – found in South Asia
- Odontotermes transvaalensis – found in Africa
- Odontotermes wallonensis – found in South Asia
Images for kids
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O. badius worker
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Cement plastered over tree bark
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Workers foraging on tree bark under cement
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Workers in ventilation tunnel
See also
In Spanish: Odontotermes para niños
