Macrotermes malaccensis is common in forest and heavily wooded areas. In forests and other areas where they are found they are the main decomposing agent of dead wood. Similar to most Macrotermes genus there are two sets of termite workers (dimorphic or bimorphic) and two sets of termite soldiers, namely the minor and major workers and minor and major soldiers.
Macrotermes malaccensis can be easily differentiated from Macrotermes gilvus (a common mound building and fungus growing species in this location) by the longer mandibles of their major soldiers. But Macrotermes malaccensis do not build mounds and their nest are totally subterranean. In Macrotermes malaccensis and also Macrotermes carbonarius the longer and slightly more inward curving mandibles of the major soldiers suggest that ants predator might not be the main predator of these termites as aside from a slicing function against smaller predator they also function well as a puncture and hooked on weapon. Their larger sizes might make them more desirable target for larger ants species as well as large arthropods, lizards, frogs and mammals.
Another differentiating attribute from M. gilvus is that in Macrotermes malaccensis there are more major soldiers in their subterranean foraging crew whereas those of Macrotermes gilvus has more minor soldiers. This is most likely characteristic of their function as defenders of the workers in the foraging tunnels whereas Macrotermes gilvus major soldiers' primary role appeared to be the defence of the fortress nest.
A third distinguishing characteristic of Macrotermes malaccensis which is also the case with Macrotermes carbonarius is the longer mandibles of the major soldiers. The mandibles are also more curved which might indicate that other than ants, frog, lizards and small snakes may be a common encounter of these termites.
Workers of Macrotermes malaccensis massing to harvest cellulose on a fallen tree trunk.
Workers of Macrotermes malaccensis massing to harvest cellulose on a fallen tree trunk.
Macrotermes malaccensis termite's major soldiers, minor soldiers and a major termite worker.
Below a major worker at 6mm.
Major and minor workers of Macrotermes malaccensis.
Major and minor workers of Macrotermes malaccensis.
Below a minor termite soldier of Macrotermes malaccensis.
Minor soldier above and below.
Major soldier of Macrotermes malaccensis below.
The major soldier measuring between 12 to 14 millimeters total length from tip of abdomen to tip of mandibles. This length is a live specimen standing measurement whereas some documentations have them as longer than this probably fully (artificially) pressed down and stretched out.
Below a Macrotermes malaccensis major soldier with a major worker around 6 millimeters long.
Profile view of the major soldier of Macrotermes malaccensis.
Frontal view of a major soldier of Macrotermes malaccensis.
Misotermes mindeni is a solitary endoparasitoid of Macrotermes major soldiers. Below Macrotermes malaccensis soldiers with the deformed head and mandibles from Misotermes mindeni parasites. The parasitic fly lays a solitary egg in the head of major soldier while it is in the nymphal stage. Only major soldiers of Macrotermes are target by this parasitic fly species, the minor soldiers are not affected by these attacks.
As can be seen on the head there is a small area that had been eaten by the parasitic larva.
Macroterme malaccensis releases alates at twilight periodically, but always on a dry day - a day that did not see any rainfall. This is similar with Macrotermes carbonarius and some variant subspecies of Macrotermes gilvus.
A pair of reproductives digging their new nest.
A pair of reproductives digging their new nest.
An alate (female) measuring around 17 millimeters after breaking off its wings.
The alate (female) of Macrotermes malaccensis with her wings measured at slightly over an inch (27 millimeters).
Macrotermes malaccensis fungus comb. A newly constructed comb. The darkened color of the new comb will eventually lightened.
Close-up of the newly constructed fungus comb.
As the fungus comb ages it will turn to the normal lighter color.
Like most species of the Macrotermes genus, Macrotermes malaccensis hold harvested cellulose material in storage chambers
Like most species of the Macrotermes genus, Macrotermes malaccensis hold harvested cellulose material in storage chambers
Taxonomy
Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Arthropoda
Superorder: Dictyoptera 6970
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Order: Isoptera 7499
Suborder: FontanellaSubdivision: Longiprocta
Superfamily: Termitiodae 46569
Family: Termitidae 92738Sub family: Macrotermitinae 62955
Genus: Macrotermes 46572
Species: malaccensis 201579
Last Updated: 2013 11 18
First Posted 2009 09 11
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