Rottenwood Termites

Archotermopsidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Superfamily: Blattoidea
Family: Archotermopsidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Archotermopsidae: /ˌɑːrkəˌtɜːrˈmɒpsədeɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Zootermopsis laticeps by Owen Ridgen. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Trichonympha campanula by Tai V, James ER, Perlman SJ, Keeling PJ. Used under a CC BY 2.5 license.

Pacific Coast Dampwood Termite - Zootermopsis angusticollis, Delta, British Columbia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

PACIFIC-DAMPWOOD-TERMITE-Zootermopsis-angusticollis-frass-4000x2200 1 by JJ Greive of Home Inspections Of Puget Sound. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Oregon Ash, Oregon 07 by born1945 from Hillsboro, Oregon, USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

TBC1D30 unrooted tree A by 87poatoes. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Archotermopsidae, commonly known as dampwood termites, is a small family of termites previously classified under Termopsidae. They primarily feed on damp, rotting wood and tend not to infest structures significantly unless the wood is already compromised. The family consists of two extant genera, Archotermopsis and Zootermopsis, with a total of five species. They are regarded as primitive termites within their evolutionary lineage.

Physical Characteristics

Alates lack ocelli and a fontanelle; soldiers have very large, somewhat flattened heads with large flat serrated downward pointing mandibles.

Identification Tips

Look for termites living in damp wood, especially rotting wood, and check for the absence of ocelli in alates.

Habitat

Damp, decaying wood, often found in moist forests or areas with sufficient water damage.

Distribution

One genus nearctic (Zootermopsis), along with 2 genera around East and Southeast Asia.

Diet

Primarily wood, especially damp or rotting wood.

Life Cycle

Information on the specific life cycle is limited, but as termites, they have a typical life cycle that includes egg, nymph, and adult stages.

Reproduction

Details on reproduction are unspecified; generally involves mating flights for alates in termites.

Ecosystem Role

As decomposers, they play a role in breaking down dead wood.

Economic Impact

May rarely infest structures but do not usually cause extensive damage unless the wood is already compromised.

Evolution

Considered to be a primitive family within the termites, their classification has evolved over time, especially with the move from Termopsidae to Archotermopsidae in 2009.

Similar Taxa

Hodotermitidae
Stolotermitidae
Termopsidae

Misconceptions

Despite being termites, they are considered to be of little concern regarding property damage compared to other termite families.