Odontotermes Sp2

Odontotermes is a common genus of fungus growing termites. There are several species in this genus (52 known species according to some documentations), the largest of which (Odontotermes longignathus) is one of the most common. The soldiers of Odontotermes are monomorphic but not the workers. There are at least twenty species of Odontotermes in this location of which nine species have been documented (described and classified).

The soldiers of this second Odontotermes termite species is 6mm.

With the mandible opened the characteristic tooth on the left mandible of Odontotermes is here clearly visible.

Soldiers and worker of Odontotermes type 1.

Soldiers and worker of Odontotermes type 1.

Soldier and worker of Odontotermes type 1.

Soldier of Odontotermes type 1.

Worker of Odontotermes type 1.

Worker of Odontotermes type 1.

See also other species of this genus:

See also:

Odontotermes.

Odontotermes sp3.

Odontotermes sp4.

Odontotermes sp5.

Odontotermes sp6.

Odontotermes sp7

Odontotermes sp8

Odontotermes sp9

Odontotermes sp10

Odontoermes longignathus.

Taxonomy

No rank: cellular organisms

Superkingdom (Domain): Eukaryota

No rank: Opisthokonta

Kingdom: Metazoa

No rank: Eumetazoa

No rank (Subkingdom): Bilateria

No rank (Branch): Protostomia

No rank (Infrakingdom): Ecdysozoa

No rank (Superphylum): Panarthropoda

Phylum: Arthropoda

No rank (Subphylum): Mandibulata

No rank: Pancrustacea

Subphylum (Epiclass): Hexapoda

Class: Insecta

No rank (Subclass): Dicondylia

Subclass (Infraclass): Pterygota

Infraclass: Neoptera

No rank: Polyneoptera

No rank (Superorder): Dictyoptera

Order: Blattodea

Superfamily: Blattoidea

No rank: Termitoidae 1912919

Family: Termitidae 46569

Subfamily: Macrotermitinae 62955

Genus: Odontotermes 60587

Last updated: 2012 05 18

© 2011 - 2012 Quah. All rights reserved.

Macrotermes sp1

I am unable to find documentation on this species. Possibly it might not have been id before.

The major worker is almost 7mm.

A major soldier and worker.

The major worker.

The minor soldier is 8mm.

The major soldier is 13mm.

© 2010 Quah. All rights reserved.

Camponotus Sp (Colobopsis group)

This species of Camponotus is arboreal, living inside tree trunks and branches. This small “truncatus group” species of the Colobopsis subgenus is dimorphic with two worker caste. In this species both the major and minor workers exhibit the truncation appearance that is definitive of this Camponotus Colobopsis subgenus. 

Most species of Colbopsis subgenus of the Camponotini tribe are true carpenter ants boring into trunks and branches of trees to make their nests.

The pre-dealated queen.

The alate gyne with some minor workers.

A minor worker. A minor worker with the specialised flattened front to block the entrance to their nest inside the branches of trees.

 A minor worker with the specialised flattened front to block the entrance to their nest inside the branches of trees.

 The major worker with the same flattened front of the head. In many species of 'truncatus' only the major worker and gyne has this flatten front.

 Minor worker.

 Minor worker.

 Minor worker.

 Lateral view of a major worker.

 Top view of a major worker.

 Major worker.

See also:

Camponotus genus
Camponotus parius
Camponotus bedoti (Colobopsis group)

Camponotus gigas
Camponotus gilviceps

Camponotus sp (Colobopsis group)

Camponotus maculatus pallidus

Camponotus suandersi (Colobopsis group)

Taxonomy:

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Arthropoda

Subphylum - Hexapoda

Class - Insecta

Subclass - Pterygota

Infraclass - Neoptera

Order - Hymenoptera

Suborder - Apocrita

Infraorder - Aculeata

Superfamily - Vespoidea

Family - Formicidae

Subfamily - Formicinae
Tribe - Camponotini
Genus - Camponotus

Last Updated: 2013 01 29
First Posted: 2010 12 02
© 2010  - 2013 Quah. All rights reserved.

Tapinoma Melanocephalum The Pesky Ghost Ant

Tapinoma melanocephalum is a small odorous ant that is more commonly found indoor than outdoor. The indoor species are usually lighter in color from those found outdoor especially in forest, wooded and agricultural areas. The outdoor species typically have longer legs and antennae.

This fast running tiny small pest ant have a similar habitat preference as the other common pest ant Monomorium pharaonis.

And like Monomorium pharaonis. they can live in relatively dry places, their workers traveled long distances to sources of water to collect the water back for their nest. They find their way into water containers to drink and some drowned fouling the water.

Their tiny size allows them to gain access to food in tight containers making them adept at thriving in human habitations.

Workers and queen of Tapinoma melanocephalum.

Workers tending to the brood.

Workers and queen of Tapinoma melanocephalum.

The workers of Tapinoma Melanocephalum.

A callow worker of Tapinoma Melanocephalum species.

A young worker with a pupa.

Some workers of Tapinoma melanocephalum tending to the brood. Some are still in their callow colours.

A worker of Tapinoma melanocephalum - side profile.

A dark colored species of Tapinoma also found in homes.

This is not as common as the species above but both are about the same size.  

Tapinoma sp.

Tapinoma Sp2: An Outdoor Species.

 This outdoor Tapinoma species although the same size, has legs and antennae that are much longer.

 

 Close-up of this Tapinoma species shows the clearly evident longer legs and antennae. The longer limbs makes them appear to be slimmer. Because these ants are very small unless you examine them close-up you would not be able to see that this species found in the wild is different from the "domesticated" species of Tapinoma Melanocephalum.

Here a male (above) drone and a worker.

Tapinoma Sp3: Another Outdoor Species.

Another species  of Tapinoma not found inside housing and buildings.

And here is the reason - the gyne of this Tapinoma species are as large as those of the black crazy ants Paratrechina longicornis.

Tapinoma sessile the odorous house ant is another species of this genus. This species has a particular much stronger smell and thus its common name.

Control And Eradications.

Solution based poison baiting is the fastest eradication methods for household pest ants such as Pharaoh ants and Ghost ants. Some documentations listed boric acid added to water or sugar water as an effective poison bait against Tapinoma melanocephalum. The same can be applied for Monomorium pharoanis.

Chemical sprays are the lest effective (unless the various nest locations are tracked down and repeatedly sprayed over a period of one to two months), followed by fumigation.

These pest ants which includes the black crazy ants because of their polygynous nest composition tend to have dispersed nests spread out over the residence and even across several residences in the case of apartment and high rise dwellers.

Of course keeping the residence clean and keeping stored food in well sealed containers will go a long way to minimise infestations as well as re-infestations.


Last Updated: 2011 09 22
© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.