Soil-excavation
Guides
Gnathamitermes perplexus
tube-building termite, long-jawed desert termite
Gnathamitermes perplexus is a desert-dwelling termite species known for constructing distinctive sand tubes and for its elongated mandibles. Workers and colony founders transport sand individually using their mandibles to excavate tunnels, a behavior that differs from the cooperative "bucket-brigade" kicking seen in some related termites. The species occurs in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, where it contributes to soil enrichment and decomposition of dead wood. Populations have been observed to decline following application of certain termiticides, particularly fipronil.
Paraneotermes
desert dampwood termites
Paraneotermes is a genus of dampwood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, established by Light in 1934. Species in this genus inhabit arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. The genus includes at least one well-studied species, Paraneotermes simplicicornis, known from the southwestern United States. Members exhibit distinctive collective nest-building behaviors, including a unique "kicking" method of soil excavation that differs from other termite genera.
Paraneotermes simplicicornis
Desert Dampwood Termite
Paraneotermes simplicicornis is a desert-dwelling dampwood termite native to arid regions of southwestern North America. It is notable for its distinctive cooperative tunneling behavior, in which workers pass excavated soil backward through the tunnel in a bucket-brigade fashion rather than carrying it individually. The species colonizes dead and decaying Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) and initiates new colonies following monsoon rains, typically in September.