Its complex and highly evolved social caste system has enabled it to survive for millions of years. For example, the worker caste spends almost all of its life building the massive mounds that the colony will live in. The mound's hard outer layer and the soldiers will then protect them from many predators. The M. bellicosus has had many positive and negative effects on the African area. It has even been suggested that all termites produce a combined amount of about one fifth of the worlds methane.
Termites are also an important food source in West Africa.
In conclusion, the M. bellicosus termite will continue to be an important element in the African environment.