Neotermes jouteli

(Banks, 1919)

Joutel's drywood termite

Neotermes jouteli is a large Neotropical native to South Florida and the West Indies. It is the largest in Florida, with soldiers reaching 13.35 mm and winged approximately 16.05 mm. The species is notable for its distinctive deeply depressed, in the stage.

Neotermes jouteli by Bardusquus. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neotermes jouteli: /ˌniːoʊˈtɜrmiːz ˈʒaʊtəlaɪ/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other Florida by its large size—soldiers exceed 13 mm, larger than any other Florida termite . The deeply depressed, of the is a key diagnostic character separating it from .

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Appearance

Soldiers are large, reaching a maximum length of 13.35 mm. Winged () measure approximately 16.05 mm. The imago possesses a deeply depressed (the area of the directly above the ) with a (wrinkled) texture. Swarming alates have with approximately 200 featuring eucone-type cones and rhabdomeres.

Habitat

Inhabits dead wood and wooden structures in tropical and subtropical environments. As a kalotermitid , colonies are established entirely within wood without soil contact.

Distribution

Native to South Florida and surrounding West Indian nations.

Diet

Wood; as a , it feeds on sound or decayed wood of various tree .

Life Cycle

involves swarming of , typically following rainfall events. After mating, the royal pair establishes a new colony in wood and enters a concealed, dark existence. During this reproductive phase, the royal pair experiences long-term light deprivation, which triggers progressive degeneration of the until complete destruction.

Behavior

exhibit swarming following rainfall. Colony founders and engage in tunneling behavior for nest construction. The royal pair lives in complete darkness during the reproductive phase, leading to dramatic morphological changes including degeneration.

Ecological Role

Decomposer of wood in tropical and subtropical forest . Harbors symbiotic protists including Staurojoenina mulleri, which assist in cellulose digestion.

Human Relevance

Structural pest in South Florida and the Caribbean due to its wood-feeding habits. Its large size makes more conspicuous than smaller .

Similar Taxa

  • Incisitermes minorOverlapping distribution in North America; distinguished by smaller size and different in the .
  • Other Neotermes speciesN. jouteli is distinguished by its larger size and the deeply depressed, of the .

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