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Transvaal Museum index South Africa

TERMITES

Termites (Order Isoptera) were included in the BIG 12 because they are the great insect architects. With their social system, they are capable of establishing "insect cities" far taller than a man.

Some of the African termites such as Macrotermes are amongst the greatest insect builders in the world. Apart from their ability as architects, termites play an important role in ecology and agriculture, where they may help to recycle nutrients and aerate the soil. However, some termites are also considered to be pests, and the harvester termite Hodotermes mosambicus may devour vast quantities of grass every year.

A giant termitarium