Drywood-termites
Guides
Incisitermes
Incisitermes is a genus of drywood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, established by Krishna in 1961. Species in this genus are distributed across the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific, including notable pests such as the western drywood termite (I. minor) and the light southeastern drywood termite (I. snyderi). These termites exhibit the characteristic biology of drywood termites, living entirely within wood without requiring soil contact.
Incisitermes arizonensis
Incisitermes arizonensis is a species of drywood termite in the family Kalotermitidae, originally described by Snyder in 1926. GBIF records indicate this name is currently treated as a synonym of Incisitermes minor. The genus Incisitermes comprises drywood termites that infest dead wood and do not require soil contact for colony establishment. Like other kalotermitids, this species likely exhibits the typical drywood termite biology of nesting directly within sound or decaying wood.
Kalotermes
Kalotermes is a genus of drywood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, considered one of the most primitive termite families. The genus contains multiple species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, including North America, Australia, and Europe. Species in this genus are characterized by their ability to colonize dry wood without requiring contact with soil. The genus has been studied for its social polymorphism, caste differentiation, and digging behaviors.
Kalotermitidae
Drywood Termites
Kalotermitidae, commonly known as drywood termites, is a basal family of termites with 21 genera and 419 species, making it the second most diverse termite family after Termitidae. The family exhibits a cosmopolitan circumtropical distribution and is characterized by colonies that inhabit sound wood without soil contact. Unlike many termites, Kalotermitidae lack a true worker caste; instead, immature individuals called pseudergates perform worker functions before developing into soldiers or reproductives. The family includes significant pest species such as Cryptotermes brevis and Incisitermes minor, which cause economic damage to wooden structures, furniture, and utility towers worldwide.
Marginitermes
Marginitermes is a genus of drywood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, established by Krishna in 1961. The genus contains three described species: M. absitus, M. cactiphagus, and M. hubbardi (the light western drywood termite). Species in this genus are found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America.
Neotermes
Neotermes is a genus of drywood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, established by Nils Holmgren in 1911. Species are obligate wood-nesters that inhabit dead wood, including branches of living trees. The genus includes over 100 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Some species exhibit facultative parthenogenesis, though they lack the asexual queen succession system found in other parthenogenetic termites. Neotermes castaneus is the type species.
Pterotermes
Pterotermes is a monotypic genus of drywood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, containing only Pterotermes occidentis. This primitive termite is the largest drywood termite in the southwestern United States deserts and exhibits the simple life cycle characteristic of its family, lacking a true worker caste. Colonies develop entirely within a single piece of timber, making it a cryptic inhabitant of dead desert wood.