Amitermes parvulus

(Light, 1932)

Amitermes parvulus is a higher studied primarily in urban environments, where it exhibits unusual colony characteristics for its group. The species forms few but spatially expansive colonies that frequently merge together, with all studied colonies headed by inbred neotenic reproductives—traits rarely observed in higher termites. It co-exists with the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes in urban landscapes, with differences in food preference and availability potentially enabling this co-existence. The species was first described by Light in 1932.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Amitermes parvulus: /ˌæmɪˈtɜːrmiːz ˈpɑːrvjʊləs/

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Habitat

Urban environment

Distribution

North America

Behavior

Colonies frequently merge together; forms few but spatially expansive colonies with large foraging ranges; co-exists with Reticulitermes flavipes in the same urban environment through differences in food preference and food availability

Similar Taxa

  • Reticulitermes flavipesCo-occurring subterranean in urban environments; differs in forming numerous restricted colonies rather than few expansive ones, and in having different colony structure and breeding systems

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Sources and further reading