Magnetic termite nymph. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a nymph of the magnetic termite. A nymph is a young termite that is going through molts, a process of shedding its exoskeleton, to become a reproductive, worker or soldier. First, a termite develops a soft exoskeleton under its current, hard exoskeleton. Then, once the termite has reached maturity, its outermost skeleton splits open, and the new exoskeleton enlarges and hardens. This molting process continues throughout a termite's life cycle based on the colony's needs. 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. Magnification: x250 at 10 centimetres wide