[2] The mound is constructed from white sand and organic matter and is distinctively black in colour due to the cement excreted by the termites.

They mostly harvest humus and dead damp organic plant matter for consumption whilst underground, rarely foraging for food on the surface.

A large part of the head is taken up by a frontal gland that excretes a colourless, sticky fluid that has a strong irritant effect on other insects.

[2] White nymphs are found in mature mounds older than two or three years old in February and March, and emerge as sexually reproductive alates to undergo mating flights in April or May after the first autumn rains.

[2] Larger animals such as aardvarks and lizards such as southern rock agamas are known to eat various termite species, including A. hastatus.