Nasutitermes triodiae, also known as the cathedral termite, is a grass-eating species of Nasutitermitinae termite that can be found in Northern Territory, Australia. It is also sometimes referred to as the spinifex termite, since it is found in the spinifex[1] (also known as Triodia) grasslands. Very little research has been done on the underground nature of this species.
Nasutitermes triodiae mostly live in Northern Territory, Australia. They are known for their skill at building "cathedrals". Mounds of the cathedral termites on the dry plains of the Northwest Territory dominate the landscape and often tower more than 15 feet in height.[2][3] Constructed from mud, plant parts, and termite saliva and feces, the columns of the mound are extraordinarily tough and able to withstand the rigors of wind, rain, heat, and hungry predators. Construction of the hollow columns allows for internal circulation of air from the cooler soil at the base of the mound to the warmer top. This clever ventilation provides a central air-conditioning system that enables the colony to remain relatively cool even when the external temperatures are very hot.
Defense mechanismsedit
When there is a breach in the nest, nasute soldiers pour out to defend the colony.[4] Termite soldier castes can be distinguished by their dark brown head and elongated, tubular snout called a nasus. The termites create and store a mixture of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes which can then be ejected from their long, horn-like nasus.[5] The secretions are able to entangle, irritate and repel invaders. If a human were to stick their finger in the mound, it would be covered in the defensive fluid.
Dietedit
Nasutitermes triodiae often feed on Triodia,[1] which are common in the grasslands where they can be found. It doesn't matter if the plant material is living or dead. To avoid the heat and sunlight, the termites create tube-like structures of mud toward their food source. These tubes are then built around the grass, where the spinifex is then consumed. The hollow tubes left behind are used to reach the other blades of grass.
Referencesedit
^ ab"Definition of TRIODIA". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
^"BBC - Earth - 12 nests you won't believe were made by insects". January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
^Sydney, University of. "How cathedral termites got to Australia to build their 'sky-scrapers'". phys.org. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
^Cruz, Márcia N. S. de la; Santos Júnior, Helvécio M. dos; Oliveira, Denilson F.; Rezende, Claudia M. (March 2018). "Antimicrobial Diterpene from the Brazilian Termite Nasutitermes macrocephalus (Isoptera: Termitidae: Natutitermitinae)". Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society. 29: 509–514. doi:10.21577/0103-5053.20170163. ISSN 0103-5053.
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nasutitermes, triodiae, also, known, cathedral, termite, grass, eating, species, nasutitermitinae, termite, that, found, northern, territory, australia, also, sometimes, referred, spinifex, termite, since, found, spinifex, also, known, triodia, grasslands, ver. Nasutitermes triodiae also known as the cathedral termite is a grass eating species of Nasutitermitinae termite that can be found in Northern Territory Australia It is also sometimes referred to as the spinifex termite since it is found in the spinifex 1 also known as Triodia grasslands Very little research has been done on the underground nature of this species Nasutitermes triodiaeMound of cathedral termite Nasutitermes triodiaeScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ArthropodaClass InsectaOrder BlattodeaInfraorder IsopteraFamily TermitidaeGenus NasutitermesSpecies N triodiaeBinomial nameNasutitermes triodiae Froggatt 1898 Nasutitermes triodiae workers and snouted soldier castesContents 1 Description and behaviour 1 1 Mounds 1 2 Defense mechanisms 1 3 Diet 2 ReferencesDescription and behaviour editMounds edit Nasutitermes triodiae mostly live in Northern Territory Australia They are known for their skill at building cathedrals Mounds of the cathedral termites on the dry plains of the Northwest Territory dominate the landscape and often tower more than 15 feet in height 2 3 Constructed from mud plant parts and termite saliva and feces the columns of the mound are extraordinarily tough and able to withstand the rigors of wind rain heat and hungry predators Construction of the hollow columns allows for internal circulation of air from the cooler soil at the base of the mound to the warmer top This clever ventilation provides a central air conditioning system that enables the colony to remain relatively cool even when the external temperatures are very hot Defense mechanisms edit When there is a breach in the nest nasute soldiers pour out to defend the colony 4 Termite soldier castes can be distinguished by their dark brown head and elongated tubular snout called a nasus The termites create and store a mixture of monoterpenes sesquiterpenes and diterpenes which can then be ejected from their long horn like nasus 5 The secretions are able to entangle irritate and repel invaders If a human were to stick their finger in the mound it would be covered in the defensive fluid Diet edit Nasutitermes triodiae often feed on Triodia 1 which are common in the grasslands where they can be found It doesn t matter if the plant material is living or dead To avoid the heat and sunlight the termites create tube like structures of mud toward their food source These tubes are then built around the grass where the spinifex is then consumed The hollow tubes left behind are used to reach the other blades of grass References edit a b Definition of TRIODIA www merriam webster com Retrieved 2021 10 21 BBC Earth 12 nests you won t believe were made by insects January 13 2016 Retrieved January 14 2016 Sydney University of How cathedral termites got to Australia to build their sky scrapers phys org Retrieved 2021 09 29 Australian cathedral termites retrieved 2021 09 29 Cruz Marcia N S de la Santos Junior Helvecio M dos Oliveira Denilson F Rezende Claudia M March 2018 Antimicrobial Diterpene from the Brazilian Termite Nasutitermes macrocephalus Isoptera Termitidae Natutitermitinae Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society 29 509 514 doi 10 21577 0103 5053 20170163 ISSN 0103 5053 nbsp This termite related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nasutitermes triodiae amp oldid 1144156069, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
