Higher-termites
Guides
Amitermes
Amitermes is a genus of higher termites in the family Termitidae, subfamily Amitermitinae, containing approximately 100 species. It is the second largest genus in its subfamily after Microcerotermes. Species occupy diverse habitats ranging from deserts to rainforests across multiple continents. The genus is characterized by distinctive soldier morphology including bulbous heads and sickle-shaped mandibles. The Australian Amitermes group represents a major radiation that diversified rapidly during late Cenozoic climate change.
Nasutitermitinae
Nasute Termites
Nasutitermitinae is a subfamily of higher termites within Termitidae, comprising 81 genera and approximately 605 species with near-cosmopolitan distribution. The subfamily is distinguished by a highly derived soldier caste bearing vestigial mandibles and a prominent fontanellar process (the nasus) used to project chemical defenses. Notable genera include Nasutitermes, Hospitalitermes, and Constrictotermes, the latter two recognized for forming conspicuous above-ground foraging trails.
Tenuirostritermes
Tenuirostritermes is a genus of higher termites in the family Termitidae, subfamily Nasutitermitinae. The genus comprises approximately five described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender mandibles and are classified within the nasute termite group, though they lack the pronounced nasal tube found in some related genera. The genus was established by Holmgren in 1912 based on distinctive morphological features of the soldier caste.
Termitidae
Higher Termites
Termitidae is the largest family of termites, containing over 2,100 described species and representing the most evolutionarily specialized termite group. Members lack the flagellated protozoan symbionts found in lower termites, instead relying on bacterial and archaeal gut symbionts for digestion. This family exhibits exceptional dietary diversity, with approximately 60% of species being soil-feeders and others consuming wood, grass, leaf litter, fungi, lichen, and humus. Termitidae encompasses multiple subfamilies including Macrotermitinae (fungus-growing termites), Nasutitermitinae (nasute termites with defensive frontal projections), and numerous soil-feeding lineages.