#termitidae

Cathedral termites (Nasutitermes triodiae) in Australia

Many cultures in hot, dry climates have mastered the art of constructing buildings to maximize air conditioning, including one group you might not expect: termites. Over 1,000 species live in Africa, and many have developed structures that promote airflow to keep their mounds cool. When the sun hits the tall towers that termites are famous for, the air inside heats and rises, drawing up cooler air from deeper in the tunnels. Near the top, the thin walls allow oxygen to diffuse in and circulate back down to the lower passages. When it gets really hot, termites will also take advantage of evaporative cooling by soaking the interior walls with water.

(Image: A termite mount (Termitidae sp.) by John W. Banagan)

Saw these mounds in quite a few of the habitats around Wongan Hills.

An Australian Harvester Termite native to the WA Wheatbelt (Tammin is one of the many small country towns in the belt).

Harvester Termites are distinguished by the unusually pronged jaws (see the shadows in the first photo) and their mounds having large chambers stuffed with the dry grass they collect at night.