Rhinotermitidae
Guides
Coptotermes
Coptotermes is a genus of subterranean termites in the family Rhinotermitidae, containing approximately 71 described species. The genus is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia and includes some of the world's most economically destructive termite pests, notably Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite) and C. gestroi (Asian subterranean termite). A 2013 consensus among 31 termite experts reduced the number of validated species from 69 to 21 based on morphological and molecular evidence, with many historical names suspected to be synonyms. Species in this genus exhibit complex social behaviors including age-based task division and unique nitrogen recycling strategies.
termitepestinvasivestructural-pestsubterraneanRhinotermitidaeHeterotermitidaeeconomic-pesturban-entomologycolonysocial-insectmoltingnitrogen-recyclingexuviaeage-polyethismFormosan-subterranean-termiteAsian-subterranean-termiteSoutheast-Asia-originwood-feedingcellulosegut-protozoalower-termiteevolutionary-transitiontunnelingforagingtrophallaxisproctodeal-trophallaxiscarton-nestAhamitermesparasitechitin-synthesis-inhibitorCSI-baitmolting-site-fidelityinvasive-speciesurban-peststructural-damagequarantineshippingrailroad-tiesmulchHawaiiFloridaLouisianaTaiwanJapanChinaPhilippinesAustraliatemperature-limitationhumidity-requirementcolony-sizeseveral-millionalatesswarmingnematode-associationvertical-transfermorphological-plasticitymolecular-identificationmitochondrial-DNACOII12S-rRNA16S-rRNAconsortium-taxonomytaxonomic-cold-casesynonymyWasmann-1896Heterotermes
subterranean termites
Heterotermes is a genus of subterranean termites with near-cosmopolitan distribution. Members are eusocial insects forming large colonies with distinct castes: primary reproductives (alates), nymphoid neotenic secondary reproductives, workers, and soldiers. The genus is closely related to Reticulitermes. Several species are significant pests of timber, crops, and structures.
Reticulitermes
subterranean termites
Reticulitermes is a genus of subterranean termites in the family Rhinotermitidae, found across temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. These termites are economically significant structural pests that live in soil and construct mud tubes to access above-ground wood. Colonies exhibit a three-caste system of workers, soldiers, and reproductives, with workers retaining developmental plasticity to become ergatoid reproductives. Species identification within the genus often requires molecular techniques due to overlapping morphological characteristics.
Reticulitermes flavipes
Eastern Subterranean Termite
Reticulitermes flavipes, the eastern subterranean termite, is the most common and economically significant termite species in North America. Colonies are large, ranging from 20,000 to 5 million workers, with a primary queen producing 5,000–10,000 eggs annually. The species exhibits complex caste differentiation including workers, soldiers, and multiple reproductive forms. Native to the southeastern United States, it has become invasive in Europe, South America, and other regions through human transport.