Termites of the World

Anacanthotermes is a harvesting termite restricted to arid and semi-arid habitats. However, although sandy or gravelly soils are preferred, there must be some clay content in the soil as well as enough groundwater to allow some vegetation to grow (Harris, 1967; Roonwal, 1975).

Described by Ruelle(1978)  as the third most common Anoplotermes-group genus recorded from southern Africa.  It has often been assumed to be a root feeder, by analogy with the morphologically similar Anoplotermes in south America. Species have been found attacking sound-wood bait pegs in 'graveyards' (A. choanensis and A. scapheutes). Otherwise they are commonly encountered in soil pits and in the mounds of other species. They are all group III feeders but may have rather catholic feeding preferences (e.g. very rotten wood, soil).