BlattodeaAmitermes meridionalis Anamesia sp Balta bicolor Bush Cockroach Ellipsidion Nasutitermes triodiae Termite — Alate

The northern parts of Australia are renowned for the huge termite mounds such as the famous Magnetic Termite mounds and Cathedral Termite mounds, that can be seen in places like Litchfield National Park.

Not so well known is the species of termites, Amitermes meridionalis who are responsible for the Magnetic Termite mounds. These grass-eater Amitermes meridionalis are native to the northern part of the Northern Territory, around the Darwin region, with the mounds in Litchfield National Park being up to 100 years, reaching two metres and higher. These Top End mounds are thin, with their thin edges pointing north-south and the flat sides that face east and west. They are often grouped and widely scattered across the low-lying grassland areas.

The shape and angle of the mounds help thermo-regulate the environment inside the mounds, providing the magnetic termites that live inside a high humidity and stable temperature.

Magnetic Termite Mound, Dundee area, NT © Jenny Purdie
Magnetic Termite Mound, Dundee area, NT © Jenny Purdie
Magnetic Termite Mound, Dundee area, NT © Jenny Purdie
Magnetic Termite Mound, Dundee area, NT © Jenny Purdie
Magnetic Termite Mound, Dundee area, NT © Jenny Purdie
Magnetic Termite Mound, Dundee area, NT © Jenny Purdie

A large mound can house up to a million individual termites, with each nest colony of Amitermes meridionalis, made up of the queen, king, reproductives, soldiers and workers.

Magnetic Termite Mound, Dundee area, NT © Jenny Purdie
Magnetic Termite Mound, Dundee area, NT © Jenny Purdie

See: Nasutitermes triodiae | Nasutitermes triodiae (Finke Gorge National Park


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Blattodea
  • Infraorder: Isoptera
  • Family: Termitidae
  • Subfamily: Amitermitinae
  • Genus: Amitermes
  • Species: Amitermes meridionalis

BlattodeaAmitermes meridionalis Anamesia sp Balta bicolor Bush Cockroach Ellipsidion Ellipsidion australe Ellipsidion humarale Nasutitermes triodiae Termite — Alate

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