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Termitomyces, the termite mushrooms, is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. [3] All species in the genus are completely dependent on fungus-growing termites, the Macrotermitinae, to survive, and vice versa. [4]
As a result, the Termitidae can make use of a wide variety of foods; not only rotten wood, but also grass, seeds, dung, soil, and detritus [4] [5] are all used by one species or another. In addition, some species can synthesize nitrogen compounds. [6] Many members of the Amitermitinae have evolved a very effective way of securing food.
Termitomyces titanicus (common name chi-ngulu-ngulu) is a species of edible fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. Found in West Africa (as well as Zambia and the Katanga Province of DR Congo), it has a cap that may reach 1 metre (3 ft) in diameter on a stipe up to 57 centimetres (22 inches) in length.
The Macrotermitinae, the fungus-growing termites, constitute a subfamily of the family Termitidae that is only found within the Old World tropics. This subfamily consists of 12 genera and about 350 species and are distinguished by the fact that they cultivate fungi inside their nests to feed the members of the colony. Despite the popular ...
Termites can be major agricultural pests, particularly in East Africa and North Asia, where crop losses can be severe (3–100% in crop loss in Africa). [262] Counterbalancing this is the greatly improved water infiltration where termite tunnels in the soil allow rainwater to soak in deeply, which helps reduce runoff and consequent soil erosion ...
Mound-building termites are a group of termite species that live in mounds which are made of a combination of soil, termite saliva and dung. These termites live in Africa, Australia and South America. The mounds sometimes have a diameter of 30 metres (98 ft). Most of the mounds are in well-drained areas.
Odontotermes is a termite genus belonging to subfamily Macrotermitinae (fungus-growing termites), which is native to the Old World. They are most destructive in wooden homes, [1] and are agricultural pests in the tropics and subtropics of Africa and Asia. [2] It is the most diverse termite genus in Africa, with 78 species recorded (as of 2002). [3]
The sporocarps can be seen in groups of 5–10 around the lower parts of termite mound, and grow to around 50 cm above soil level. Up to 50 sporocarps have been reported around a single mound. The Termitomyces schimperi usually appear after soaking rains of 12 mm or more during spring, but the main crop develops during January to March which is ...