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In Australia, Indigenous Australians are aware that termites are edible but do not consume them even in times of scarcity; there are few explanations as to why. [ 255 ] [ 256 ] Termite mounds are the main sources of soil consumption ( geophagy ) in many countries including Kenya , Tanzania , Zambia , Zimbabwe and South Africa .
The following are edible insects that are locally consumed, as listed by country. [1] Australia. Agrotis infusa (Bogong moth) ... Termites are eaten in Colombia. [6]
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]
Amitermes meridionalis, commonly known as the magnetic termite or compass termite, is a species of eusocial insect in the family Termitidae. It is endemic to northern Australia and the common names derive from the fact that the wedge-shaped mound is aligned with its main axis running north and south.
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.
Termitomyces species are symbiotes of termites and the mushrooms grow out of termite mounds. This genus includes the largest edible mushroom, Termitomyces titanicus, with a cap that averages 1 m in diameter, [15] though most species are much smaller. Research is underway to determine how to cultivate these mushrooms.
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The termites literally breed the mushroom, plant mushroom gardens and use it as food. The gardens are laid out in special chambers using excrement pills containing spores. The mycelium grows through the substrate (the accumulations of feces), and after a few weeks the fungus begins to form vegetative nodules that serve as food for the termites.