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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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nchanmoss-bugarchaeorrhynchanfulgoromorphancicadomorphanmembracoidtreehopperleafhopperplanthopperpsyllidjumping-plant-lousewhiteflyaleyrodidscale-insectcoccoidmealybugaphidadelgidphylloxeransternorrhynchanthysanopteranthripspsocopteranbarklousebooklousephthirapteranlousesucking-lousechewing-lousemallophagananoplurandermapteranearwigblattodeancockroachtermiteisopteranmantodeanmantidphasmidstick-insectleaf-insectorthopterangrasshopperlocustkatydidcricketmole-cricketpygmy-mole-cricketcamel-cricketcave-cricketwetaensiferancaeliferangryllotalpidmyrmecophilidtettigoniidgryllidacrididpamphagidpneumoridlentulidtristirideumastacidproscopiidtridactylidtetrigidgrouse-locustpygmy-grasshopperplecopteranstoneflyembiopteranwebspinnerzorapteranangel-insectdictyopteranNeotermes 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.