Termitidae
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.
Amitermes parvulus
Amitermes parvulus is a higher termite species studied primarily in urban environments, where it exhibits unusual colony characteristics for its group. The species forms few but spatially expansive colonies that frequently merge together, with all studied colonies headed by inbred neotenic reproductives—traits rarely observed in higher termites. It co-exists with the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes in urban landscapes, with differences in food preference and availability potentially enabling this co-existence. The species was first described by Light in 1932.
Amitermes wheeleri
Wheeler's desert termite
Amitermes wheeleri is a species of desert-dwelling termite in the family Termitidae, originally described as Termes wheeleri by Desneux in 1906. The species belongs to the genus Amitermes, a group of termites known for inhabiting arid and semi-arid environments. Specimens have been collected from tropical regions including Guyana, where individuals have been documented with ectoparasitic fungal infections. The genus Amitermes is notable for being a host to specialized fungal parasites in the genus Termitaria.
Anoplotermes fumosus
Anoplotermes fumosus is a species of subterranean termite in the family Termitidae, subfamily Apicotermitinae. It is a Neotropical species with documented presence in Middle and North America. Like other members of the genus Anoplotermes, it lacks a soldier caste and relies on worker polymorphism for colony defense. The species was first described by Hagen in 1860.