Termite

Guides

Amitermes minimus
Nearctic desert termite
Amitermes minimus is a small termite species in the family Termitidae, originally described by Light in 1932. It is known from North America and is referred to as the Nearctic desert termite in common usage. The species has been documented as a host for ectoparasitic fungi, specifically a putative new species of Termitaria discovered during field collections in Guyana. This fungal association was notable for producing symmetrical paired lesions on the ventral surface of affected termites.
termite Nearctic desert fungal-parasite Termitaria Guyana-collection
Blattoidea
Typical Cockroaches and Termites
Blattoidea is a superfamily within the order Blattodea encompassing cockroaches and termites. It comprises approximately 17 families and over 4,100 described species. The superfamily includes two major epifamilies: Blattoidae (typical cockroaches), Cryptocercoidae (brown-hooded cockroaches), and Termitoidae (termites). Molecular phylogenetic studies have clarified relationships among major lineages, though subfamilial classifications remain under revision.
cockroach termite Blattodea xylophagy eusociality detritivore decomposer pest
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.
termite pest invasive structural-pest subterranean Rhinotermitidae Heterotermitidae economic-pest urban-entomology colony social-insect molting nitrogen-recycling exuviae age-polyethism Formosan-subterranean-termite Asian-subterranean-termite Southeast-Asia-origin wood-feeding cellulose gut-protozoa lower-termite evolutionary-transition tunneling foraging trophallaxis proctodeal-trophallaxis carton-nest Ahamitermes parasite chitin-synthesis-inhibitor CSI-bait molting-site-fidelity invasive-species urban-pest structural-damage quarantine shipping railroad-ties mulch Hawaii Florida Louisiana Taiwan Japan China Philippines Australia temperature-limitation humidity-requirement colony-size several-million alates swarming nematode-association vertical-transfer morphological-plasticity molecular-identification mitochondrial-DNA COII 12S-rRNA 16S-rRNA consortium-taxonomy taxonomic-cold-case synonymy Wasmann-1896
Heterotermes aureus
Desert Subterranean Termite
Heterotermes aureus is a subterranean termite native to the deserts of North America. Colonies are large, with estimates ranging from 45,000 to over 2 million individuals. The species is notable for its ability to forage in drier conditions than other desert subterranean termites and for its distinctive soldier mandible morphology.
termite subterranean desert pest social-insect detritivore North-America
Incisitermes snyderi
Southeastern Drywood Termite
A drywood termite species in the family Kalotermitidae, found in the southeastern United States. Colonies are small to moderate in size and live entirely within wood without soil contact. The species is a significant pest of structural timber and wooden objects in its range.
termite drywood pest structural-pest kalotermitidae southeastern-united-states wood-feeding lower-termite
Leptoglossus
leaf-footed bugs
Leptoglossus is a genus of true bugs in the leaf-footed bug family Coreidae, tribe Anisoscelini. Species are characterized by leaflike dilations of the hind tibia, a diagnostic trait of the genus. The genus is distributed throughout the Americas, with some introduced populations in Europe and Asia. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, notably L. occidentalis, which has become invasive in multiple continents.
Coreidae leaf-footed-bug agricultural-pest invasive-species symbiosis sexual-dimorphism conifer-pest nuisance-pest Burkholderia tachinid-parasitoid pheromone-communication building-invader misidentification Triatoma-look-alike gradual-metamorphosis seed-predator forest-pest ornamental-pest plumbing-damage public-health-confusion Chile Europe North-America South-America Asia Turkey almond-pest citrus-pest tomato-pest corn-pest overwintering-aggregation defensive-secretion pheromone-mediated-parasitism egg-parasitoid biological-control ecological-niche-modeling climate-suitability range-expansion introduction accidental-dispersal seed-orchard-pest germination-reduction empty-seed-formation cone-damage lodgepole-pine Douglas-fir western-conifer-seed-bug L.-occidentalis L.-zonatus L.-phyllopus L.-clypealis L.-australis L.-chilensis L.-oppositus male-combat femoral-weapon abdominal-gland pheromone-gland tibial-dilation leaf-like-hind-leg true-bug Hemiptera Heteroptera Pentatomomorpha Anisoscelini phytophagous plant-feeding stylet-feeding salivary-sheath overwintering diapause building-entry structural-pest nuisance-odor flight-sound droning-flight aggregation-behavior male-pheromone female-choice parasitoid-host biological-control-agent integrated-pest-management monitoring early-detection prevention invasion-biology alien-species non-native-pest global-spread climate-change niche-modeling suitable-habitat establishment-risk quarantine phytosanitary forest-health seed-production reforestation afforestation conifer-forestry pine-seed seed-viability economic-impact crop-loss yield-reduction kernel-damage fruit-damage nut-damage vector-of-disease Chagas-disease kissing-bug public-alarm misinformation education identification-tools health-system-burden pesticide-overuse urban-ecology domiciliary peridomiciliary Andean-region Patagonia Mediterranean temperate subtropical tropical agroecosystem natural-enemy predator parasite pathogen symbiont gut-microbiome soil-ingestion fitness-benefit reproductive-success sperm-morphology testicular-morphology accessory-gland pheromone-blend species-specific-odor cherry-scent vanilla-scent cinnamon-scent rose-scent olfactory-communication mate-location mate-recognition sexual-selection male-male-competition weapon-morphology allometry developmental-plasticity nymphal-instar egg-barrel egg-arrangement linear-oviposition leaf-surface plant-tissue stylet-penetration enzymatic-digestion fluid-feeding phloem-feeding xylem-feeding seed-feeding cone-feeding fruit-feeding kernel-feeding nut-feeding crop-feeding host-plant-range polyphagy oligophagy specialist generalist pest-status damage-threshold economic-injury-level management-strategy cultural-control physical-control chemical-control resistance tolerance host-plant-resistance monitoring-trap light-trap population-density distribution-map spread-rate colonization establishment population-dynamics life-table developmental-rate thermal-requirements degree-days phenology voltinism univoltine bivoltine multivoltine generation-time overwintering-site hibernaculum shelter-seeking cold-hardiness freeze-tolerance supercooling water-relations desiccation-resistance starvation-resistance dispersal-ability flight-capacity walking-behavior climbing-behavior aggregation-pheromone alarm-pheromone stink-gland metathoracic-gland dorsoabdominal-gland ventral-abdominal-gland sexual-gland morphological-defense chemical-defense mechanical-defense autotomy leg-loss predation-risk parasitism-risk parasitoid-risk pathogen-risk competition intraspecific interspecific resource-competition mating-competition sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice reproductive-isolation speciation phylogeny systematics taxonomy morphology anatomy histology ultrastructure spermatogenesis spermatozoa sperm-length nuclear-length cyst-production follicle-number testis-structure reproductive-anatomy genitalia mating-behavior copulation insemination oviposition egg-production fecundity fertility hatching-success nymphal-survival adult-longevity sex-ratio operational-sex-ratio population-sex-ratio effective-population-size genetic-diversity gene-flow population-structure phylogeography biogeography historical-biogeography vicariance dispersal range-shift range-contraction altitudinal-distribution latitudinal-distribution longitudinal-distribution island-distribution continental-distribution endemism cosmopolitanism introduced-range native-range source-population founder-population invasion-front lag-phase establishment-phase spread-phase equilibrium-phase impact-assessment risk-assessment horizon-scanning early-warning rapid-response eradication containment control management adaptation mitigation restoration conservation biodiversity ecosystem-service ecosystem-function food-web trophic-level primary-consumer herbivore fruit-predator plant-animal-interaction mutualism antagonism predation parasitism commensalism amensalism facilitation indirect-interaction trait-mediated-interaction density-mediated-interaction behavioral-ecology evolutionary-ecology functional-ecology physiological-ecology population-ecology community-ecology ecosystem-ecology landscape-ecology macroecology global-ecology applied-ecology agricultural-ecology forest-ecology conservation-biology invasion-ecology restoration-ecology pest-management conservation-biological-control augmentative-biological-control classical-biological-control parasitoid nematode fungus bacterium virus entomopathogen microbial-control sterile-insect-technique genetic-control mating-disruption attract-and-kill push-pull trap-crop border-crop refuge habitat-management cultural-practice crop-rotation tillage irrigation fertilization pruning harvest-timing sanitation residue-management weed-management cover-crop companion-planting intercropping agroforestry silviculture forest-management seed-orchard-management cone-collection seed-extraction seed-testing germination-testing seed-quality seed-vigor empty-seed insect-damage insect-injury feeding-scar puncture stylet-sheath salivary-flange symptom sign diagnosis sampling economic-threshold decision-support expert-system modeling simulation forecasting climate-model niche-model species-distribution-model habitat-suitability risk-mapping invasion-pathway introduction-vector trade transport tourism migration natural-dispersal human-mediated-dispersal accidental-introduction intentional-introduction release escape cultivation ornamental forestry agriculture horticulture urbanization globalization land-use-change habitat-fragmentation habitat-loss degradation pollution pesticide fertilizer nutrient-enrichment eutrophication acidification warming drought extreme-event disturbance succession recovery resilience stability variability uncertainty sustainable-development green-economy circular-economy bioeconomy ecosystem-approach one-health planetary-health environmental-health public-health veterinary-health plant-health food-security nutrition livelihood poverty inequality gender indigenous-knowledge traditional-knowledge local-knowledge citizen-science stakeholder-engagement policy governance regulation legislation international-cooperation capacity-building awareness communication outreach extension advisory-service research innovation technology-transfer knowledge-exchange networking partnership collaboration evaluation evidence-based-policy science-policy-interface diplomacy advocacy activism social-movement environmental-justice environmental-ethics environmental-philosophy environmental-humanities environmental-history environmental-literature environmental-art environmental-education environmental-communication science-communication risk-communication crisis-communication health-communication behavior-change pro-environmental-behavior sustainable-behavior consumption production waste recycling reuse reduction efficiency renewable clean green blue natural organic agroecology permaculture regenerative restorative healing transformative transdisciplinary interdisciplinary multidisciplinary cross-disciplinary disciplinary disciplinary-integration knowledge-integration system-thinking complexity emergence non-linearity feedback tipping-point regime-shift alternative-stable-state resilience-thinking adaptive-management adaptive-governance learning reflection participation inclusion equity justice fairness ethics values norms culture identity place sense-of-place attachment well-being quality-of-life happiness flourishing thriving sustainability sustainable development growth degrowth post-growth steady-state circular doughnut-economics planetary-boundaries safe-operating-space tipping-elements critical-transition early-warning-signal resilience-indicator sustainability-indicator benchmark target goal commitment pledge agreement treaty convention protocol framework strategy plan program project initiative campaign movement coalition alliance network platform hub center institute organization association society union federation confederation foundation trust fund bank facility mechanism instrument tool method approach technique procedure process system structure institution administration operation service delivery provision supply demand market economy finance investment funding financing resource capital asset liability income expenditure revenue cost benefit profit loss return yield outcome output input throughput productivity effectiveness performance quality standard criterion indicator metric measure assessment appraisal review audit verification validation certification accreditation recognition award prize honor distinction excellence best-practice lesson-learned experience expertise competence capacity capability skill knowledge information data evidence science discovery invention creation design testing piloting scaling mainstreaming uptake adoption diffusion dissemination publication reporting documentation archiving preservation rehabilitation reconstruction replication duplication backup security safety protection safeguarding insurance risk-management emergency-preparedness response relief humanitarian peace prosperity health employment housing infrastructure energy water food fishery aquaculture mining manufacturing industry commerce recreation heritage nature ecosystem environment climate atmosphere ocean freshwater land soil mineral biota flora fauna microorganism fungi plant animal vertebrate invertebrate arthropod insect bug Hemipteran Heteropteran pentatomomorphan coreoid coreid squash-bug boxelder-bug stink-bug shield-bug plant-bug mirid lygaeid seed-bug broad-headed-bug alydid reduviid assassin-bug triatomine bed-bug cimicid water-bug nepomorphan gerromorphan leptopodomorphan enicocephalomorphan dipsocoromorphan ceratocomboid schizopteroid peloridioid coleorrhynchan moss-bug archaeorrhynchan fulgoromorphan cicadomorphan membracoid treehopper leafhopper planthopper psyllid jumping-plant-louse whitefly aleyrodid scale-insect coccoid mealybug aphid adelgid phylloxeran sternorrhynchan thysanopteran thrips psocopteran barklouse booklouse phthirapteran louse sucking-louse chewing-louse mallophagan anopluran dermapteran earwig blattodean cockroach termite isopteran mantodean mantid phasmid stick-insect leaf-insect orthopteran grasshopper locust katydid cricket mole-cricket pygmy-mole-cricket camel-cricket cave-cricket weta ensiferan caeliferan gryllotalpid myrmecophilid tettigoniid gryllid acridid pamphagid pneumorid lentulid tristirid eumastacid proscopiid tridactylid tetrigid grouse-locust pygmy-grasshopper plecopteran stonefly embiopteran webspinner zorapteran angel-insect dictyopteran
Neotermes castaneus
Florida dampwood termite, southern damp-wood termite
Neotermes castaneus is a dampwood termite species in the family Kalotermitidae, commonly known as the Florida dampwood termite or southern damp-wood termite. It is distributed across the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America. As a member of the Kalotermitidae family, it is a drywood-type termite that does not require contact with soil moisture, distinguishing it from subterranean termites.
termite dampwood-termite Kalotermitidae Neotermes structural-pest wood-feeding-insect Neotropical Nearctic Caribbean Central-America North-America South-America Florida-dampwood-termite southern-damp-wood-termite
Pterotermes occidentis
western dry-wood termite
Pterotermes occidentis is a primitive dry-wood termite and the sole species in the monotypic genus Pterotermes. It inhabits extremely arid environments in the Sonoran Desert region, living entirely within single pieces of dry timber. Unlike many termites, it does not maintain contact with soil and completes its entire life cycle within its wood host.
termite dry-wood-termite Kalotermitidae desert xeric Sonoran-Desert wood-feeding primitive-Isoptera monotypic-genus
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.
termite subterranean eusocial pest wood-destroying invasive gut-microbiome flagellate-symbiosis caste-differentiation Rhinotermitidae
Reticulitermes hesperus
western subterranean termite
A subterranean termite species native to the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from British Columbia to Southern California. Recent molecular studies indicate this name may represent a species complex rather than a single biological species, with spring-swarming populations in California now recognized as distinct from fall-winter swarming populations (described as R. rusti). Colonies are eusocial with queens, workers, soldiers, and winged reproductives. This species is a significant structural pest in its native range.
termite subterranean pest species-complex western-North-America eusocial trail-pheromone structural-pest
Reticulitermes tibialis
Arid-land Subterranean Termite, Arid Land Subterranean Termite
Reticulitermes tibialis, commonly known as the arid-land subterranean termite, is a native North American termite species adapted to dry environments. It is distinguished from congeneric species primarily by its habitat preferences and genetic characteristics, as morphological differences are minimal. The species occurs across the western and north-central United States, where it serves as an important decomposer of cellulose in arid ecosystems. Unlike some other Reticulitermes species, it causes relatively limited structural damage due to its preference for areas with low human population density.
termite subterranean decomposer pest native arid-adapted
Tenuirostritermes cinereus
Tenuirostritermes cinereus is a species of termite in the family Termitidae, subfamily Nasutitermitinae. It was first described by Buckley in 1862. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the Nasutitermitinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as "nasute termites" characterized by specialized defensive secretions.
termite Nasutitermitinae Isoptera eusocial Central-America North-America
Tenuirostritermes tenuirostris
Tenuirostritermes tenuirostris is a species of higher termite in the family Termitidae, subfamily Nasutitermitinae. Originally described as Termes tenuirostris by Desneux in 1904, it is currently accepted under the genus Tenuirostritermes. The species has been recorded in North America and Middle America based on distribution data. As a member of Nasutitermitinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as nasute termites, characterized by specialized defensive adaptations.
termite Nasutitermitinae higher-termite Neotropical
Zootermopsis laticeps
Arizona dampwood termite, wide-headed rottenwood termite, southwestern rottenwood termite
Zootermopsis laticeps is a dampwood termite native to arid regions of southwestern North America. It inhabits rotting wood in standing trees near water sources, particularly in riparian areas. Colonies are founded by winged reproductives after nuptial flights and persist as long as dead wood resources remain available. The species is difficult to distinguish from congeners without specialized techniques such as near-infrared spectroscopy or cuticular hydrocarbon analysis.
dampwood-termite termite riparian decomposer swarming alates colony-foundation secondary-reproductives
Zootermopsis nevadensis
Nevada Dampwood Termite, Nevada Termite
Zootermopsis nevadensis is a eusocial dampwood termite in the family Archotermopsidae, native to the western United States. It is a hemimetabolous species with complex caste differentiation including workers, soldiers, alates, and neotenic reproductives. The species has been extensively studied for its genomic characteristics, including exceptionally high DNA methylation levels and reduced opsin genes associated with its subterranean lifestyle. Two subspecies are recognized: Z. n. nevadensis and Z. n. nuttingi, with the latter having its genome sequenced.
termite dampwood-termite eusocial hemimetabolous wood-feeder protist-symbiosis vibrational-communication DNA-methylation western-USA California Nevada Zootermopsis Archotermopsidae lower-termite caste-differentiation neotenic-reproduction genome-sequenced opsin-reduction chemoreceptor-expansion
Zootermopsis nevadensis nevadensis
damp-wood termite, Nevada dampwood termite
Zootermopsis nevadensis nevadensis is a lower termite subspecies inhabiting cooler coastal and higher elevation areas of the western United States. It lives entirely within damp wood and does not forage outside its gallery system. The species exhibits hemimetabolous development with multiple progressive juvenile instars that function as workers. These workers retain developmental plasticity, capable of differentiating into alates (winged reproductives), neotenic reproductives, or soldiers depending on colony needs. The subspecies possesses exceptionally high levels of DNA methylation compared to other insects, with methylation patterns more similar to non-insect invertebrates than to holometabolous insects.
termite lower-termite damp-wood-termite eusocial hemimetabolous DNA-methylation vibrational-communication protist-symbiosis wood-decomposition
Zootermopsis nevadensis nuttingi
Zootermopsis nevadensis nuttingi is a subspecies of dampwood termite in the family Archotermopsidae, described by Haverty & Thorne in 1989. It inhabits coastal forests of the western United States where it contributes to wood decomposition through specialized hindgut symbionts. The subspecies is distinguished from other Z. nevadensis populations by morphological and geographic characteristics. Like other dampwood termites, it requires moist wood substrates and lacks the specialized adaptations for arid environments seen in drywood termites.
termite dampwood-termite protist-symbiosis wood-feeding coastal-forest