Rhinotermitinae or Rhinotermitidae (the closest match is actually to Coptotermes) is a common but rarely seen termites in human habitat areas except during the swarming seasons. From the number of alates which are plentiful one would come across during the swarming seasons it seem strange that I seldom come across the colonies in urban and suburban areas. But instead Coptotermes gestroi is found everywhere but I seldom come across their alates.
Generally the genus is very tolerant of high humidity which normally would drown most other termite genera. I provisionally categorized them under dampwood termites because of this.
Generally the genus is very tolerant of high humidity which normally would drown most other termite genera. I provisionally categorized them under dampwood termites because of this.
Unclassified Rhinotermitinae sp(3) soldiers and workers. I have classified them under Rhinotemitnae as I can't officially confirmed them as Prorhinotermes except for their tolerance of relatively high humidity which usually 'drown' other direct wood (as opposed to fungi growing and humus) consuming species. Also they have the an opening of the frontal gland similar to Coptotermes. They look more alike to Coptotermes just not exactly (the head capsule is relatively longer than those of C. gestroi and C. curvinagthus). The head capsule is more the shape of Prorhinotermes.
Sp2
Sp3
The soldiers of this species (the head) is almost identical to those of Coptotermes formosanus. The reproductives however more closely resemble those of Coptotermes gestroi.
Prorhinotermes flavius (This is the only true damp wood termites I come across from this location. And it is also the only one that exhibit atypical behaviors for termites in a few significant areas.)
Taxonomy
cellular organisms
Superkingdom: Eukaryota
Opisthokonta
Kingdom: Metazoa
Eumetazoa
Bilateria
Protostomia
Ecdysozoa
Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Mandibulata
Pancrustacea
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Unrank: Dicondylia
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Cohort: Polyneoptera
Unrank: Dictyoptera
Order: Blattodea
Superfamily: Blattoidea
Isoptera: 7499
Unrank: Termitoidae 1912919
Family: Rhinotermitidae 36985
Subfamily: Coptotermitinae72653
Genus: Coptotermes 36986
Last Updated: 2022 01 19
First Posted: 2018 08 08
© 2011 – 2022 Quah. All rights reserved.
Amazing pictures! I have a question how did you make their setup?
ReplyDeleteJust damp tissue paper (toilet tissue, facial tissue or paper towel). Wet the paper then squeeze out most of the water (but not completely). Leave the paper damp to the touch.
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