It is one of the most conspicuous species of Macrotermes found in the Indomalayan tropics, forming large foraging trails in the open that can extend several metres in distance.

In shallow breaches, a few minor and major soldiers rush out to face any threats while the workers retreat deeper into the nest, a normal behavior common to other Macrotermes species.

[5] The curving mandibles of the soldiers make them difficult to pry off the skin, with bites commonly occurring when people accidentally step onto the foraging trails.

The soldiers also possess a defensive fluid produced from the salivary glands which is composed of lauric acid methyl ester, quinones and three other unknown compounds.

[7] Foraging trails may also then extend several metres onto the surface and can be readily recognized by the positioning of a large number of major and minor soldiers at the flanks.

The trails are paved with soil pellets around the exit holes for some distance, and most notably exhibit a trunk structure with branching forays upstream.

These termites are more tolerant of desiccation due to their more sclerotized exoskeleton, which enables them to forage for longer periods in conditions that other sympatric Macrotermes species would find intolerable.

If favorable conditions persist up to the late afternoon, massive nuptial flights consisting of hundreds or thousands alates are released by colonies.