Coptotermes curvignathus (Holmgren) from the genus Coptotermes is a destructive termite species of tree plantations in South East Asia and attacks live trees. It is similar to other Coptotermes species like Coptotermes travians and Coptotermes gestroi with the main differences in its being larger, and having strong incurved mandibles, and also a distinctive habit of attacking trees by encasing the surface of the tree trunk with a layer of soil.
Read More
Monthly Archives November 2009
The Nasutitermitinae termites
The Nasutitermitinae subfamily from the Termitidae family of termites is a very large category comprising many species spread throughout the Old and New World, of which there remains some species yet to be identified properly. However, all the Nasutitermitinae species can be recognized by their soldiers having a pointed snout at the front of their heads, called a nasus, and in virtually all species, the soldiers are smaller than the workers in terms of size. As a whole, they are mostly small termites.
Read More
Termite anatomy in species identification
Termite anatomy is studied by entomologists mainly because it is an essential key in identifying termite species. The soldier is the main caste that is referred to when differentiating between species because most of the time, in closely related species, the workers and the imagos (reproductives) are highly similar.
Read More
What do termites look like
There is much confusion (even ignorance) among the uninformed, as to what exactly do termites look like. To set the record straight, termites have broad waists and a more or less, rounded body with no curves. They have straight antennae which are flexible and pliable. That’s why termite workers are able to clean their antennae by bending it at will at any time, by turning it into their mouths.
Read More
Termite pictures – Coptotermes gestroi
Coptotermes gestroi or the Asian Subterranean Termite is one of the most destructive termites in Asia (along with the Formosan Subterranean Termite), responsible for much of the termite damage statistics reported. Small and hardy, Coptotermes gestroi has been reported in new countries outside of its native range, including Australia and parts of USA, indicating an ability to adapt to new environments easily.
Read More