Subterranean Termites

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Heterotermitidae: //ˌhɛtəroʊtɜrˈmɪtɪdiː//

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Summary

Heterotermitidae, known as subterranean termites, are a cosmopolitan family of detritivores specializing in the decomposition of cellulose from wood and other organic materials, forming complex social structures and exhibiting diverse behaviors in ecology and pest dynamics.

Physical Characteristics

Termites are usually small, measuring between 4 and 15 millimeters, with the largest queens reaching over 10 centimeters in length. They have moniliform antennae and a soft-bodied, often unpigmented worker caste, earning them the colloquial name "white ants." The forewings and hindwings are of nearly equal size, with distinct structural features differentiating them from related families.

Identification Tips

Differentiated from Archotermopsidae by the presence of ocelli in imagoes and from Kalotermitidae by the presence of a fontanelle in all castes. Alates possess two darkened veins on the outer edge of the wing, unlike the three found on Archotermopsidae and Kalotermitidae. The pronotum in Rhinotermitidae is flat and crescent-shaped, typically equal to or narrower than the head width, unlike that of Kalotermitidae or Termitidae.

Habitat

Subterranean termites inhabit a variety of climates and environments, including temperate, subtropical, tropical regions, forests, and deserts. They typically nest within wood (dry or wet) and build diffuse soil networks to colonize new food sources.

Distribution

Rhinotermitidae is a cosmopolitan family, widely distributed across all continents except Antarctica. It includes approximately 320 species in 12 genera worldwide, with about 9 species in 4 genera in specific local areas.

Diet

Termites are primarily detritivores that consume cellulose found in decaying plant material, typically in the form of wood, leaf litter, and soil humus. They also exhibit opportunistic feeding behaviors, consuming materials like cardboard and cotton.

Life Cycle

Termites undergo incomplete metamorphosis with life stages including egg, nymph (which includes stages with wing buds for future alates), and adult. The development time varies based on factors like food availability and temperature.

Reproduction

After nuptial flights, winged males and females (alates) pair up and establish a colony, where they mate and the queen starts laying eggs. The reproductive pair hides in the nest and does not emerge again, with the queen capable of laying thousands of eggs daily.

Predators

Termites are preyed upon by a variety of predators including birds, mammals (like aardvarks and anteaters), reptiles, amphibians, and many types of insects, particularly ants which are their greatest enemies.

Ecosystem Role

Termites play a crucial role as decomposers, recycling dead plant material, enriching soil, and are considered ecosystem engineers due to their activities in soil aeration and nutrient cycling. They create microhabitats and influence the structure of surrounding vegetative and biological communities.

Economic Impact

Various species of termites, particularly those in Coptotermes and Reticulitermes, are significant economic pests causing extensive damage to buildings and crops. In Australia, termite damage exceeds A$1.5 billion annually.

Cultural Significance

In some cultures, termites are consumed as food, particularly their alates, which are considered a delicacy. They are also used in traditional medicine and are viewed as important in certain rituals.

Evolution

Termites evolved from wood-eating cockroaches and underwent significant evolutionary adaptation that shaped their social structures and ecological roles. They are classified in the same order as cockroaches (Blattodea), moving into a separate infraorder (Isoptera) due to their eusocial behavior and complex nesting habits.

Similar Taxa

• Kalotermitidae
• Archotermopsidae
• Termitidae

Misconceptions

Commonly referred to as "white ants," termites are not closely related to ants; they belong to a different order and are more closely related to cockroaches.

Tags

• termite
• Heterotermitidae
• subterranean termites
• decomposer
• eusocial
• pest control