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Monday, December 27, 2010

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:


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.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Macrotermes sp1

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


An undocumented Macrotermes species

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.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

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.


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.

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

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.
Tapinoma melanocephalum

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.
Tapinoma sessile the odorous house ant



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.