Macrotermitinae
| Macrotermitinae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Structure of a Macrotermes natalensis mound | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Superorder: | Dictyoptera |
| Order: | see text |
| Family: | Termitidae |
| Subfamily: |
Macrotermitinae Kemner, 1934 |
| Genera | |
|
14, see text |
|
14, see text
The Macrotermitinae, the fungus-growing termites, constitute a subfamily of the family Termitidae. The termites are traditionally classified as order Isoptera, but have been found to be a subgroup of the Blattodea (roaches and allies) and consequently should be treated as part of this group; what taxonomy entomologists eventually will settle upon has not been decided yet.
This subfamily consists of 14 genera and about 350 species. They include Macrotermes bellicosus, whose huge queen can attain a length of 10.6 cm (4.2 in) and breadth of 5.5 cm (2.2 in), making them the largest existing termites. The other adults, though, are about a third of the size.
A Macrotermitinae mound in the Okavango Delta just outside Maun, Botswana
A termite soldier (Macrotermitinae) in the Okavango Delta
An ant of the genus Megaponera with a captured worker termite (Macrotermitinae) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Worker termites (Macrotermitinae) closing a newly exposed shaft inside a termite mound to prevent the entry of predators
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