Macrotermes bellicosus

Macrotermes bellicosus is an African fungus-growing termite that lives in large colonies, constructs prominent mounds, and cultivates Termitomyces fungi as food.

Termitomyces: A genus of edible mushrooms cultivated by fungus-growing termites in Africa and Asia. The termites grow these fungi on prepared plant material and eat the resulting structures.
Termitidae: A large family of termites that includes many species with complex social organization. Macrotermes bellicosus belongs to this family of higher termites.
Ecosystem engineering: The modification of ecosystems by organisms through their activities and structures. Mounds and foraging alter soil properties and local habitat conditions.
Macrotermes natalensis: A southern African fungus-growing termite species that cultivates Termitomyces. It shares the fungus-farming lifestyle but differs in range and colony biology.
Fungus-growing termites: Termites in the subfamily Macrotermitinae that cultivate fungi in the genus Termitomyces. Macrotermes bellicosus is a prominent member of this termite group.
Termite caste system: The division of labor among reproductive, worker, and soldier forms in a termite colony. Its colony depends on specialized individuals sharing construction, defense, and reproduction.
Bioturbation: The disturbance and mixing of soil or sediment by living organisms. Termite excavation moves soil and changes its structure around colonies.
Odontotermes: A genus of fungus-growing termites found across Africa and Asia. Its species cultivate Termitomyces too, offering a close comparison within Macrotermitinae.
Termite gut microbiome: The community of microorganisms living in a termite's digestive tract. Gut microbes help termites digest plant material alongside the cultivated fungus.
Fungus garden: A cultivated mass of plant material colonized by fungi and maintained by fungus-growing termites. This is where the colony grows its Termitomyces food source.

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TermiteBroader topic: Its fungus-growing colonies illustrate agriculture and mound building in termites.