Termites (superfamily Termitoidea)

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Termites (superfamily Termitoidea)

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Mike wrote:

27 Apr 2025

Thanks @DonFletcher, I don’t usually report termite nests, but this stump was shared with coconut ants.

Nasutitermes exitiosus

DonFletcher wrote:

27 Apr 2025

Hi @Mike, There are two species of mound building termites in the ACT. In the higher, colder parts of the ACT, Coptotermes lacteus, the Milk Termite, builds a very hard, strong mound. Some of these mounds can also be seen on Black Mt, and, more rarely, other lowland sites. In the lower, warmer areas of the ACT (below about 850m) the vast majority of mounds are of Nasutitermes exitiosus, which is in the Gluegun Termite genus. These mounds are softer so that if you kick one it will leave a visible mark or even a depression. There are other distinguishing features as well but hardness is the best.

The soldier termites are also easy to distinguish. Coptotermes soldiers have clearly visible jaws. Nasutitermes soldiers have a 'gluegun' snout, appearing to form a smooth sharp protrusion, with no visible jaws (except under magnification).

Nasutitermes exitiosus

DonFletcher wrote:

7 Jan 2025

We need to see the teeth on the mandibles. They are not bilaterally symmetrical!

Termitoidae (informal group)

DonFletcher wrote:

7 Jan 2025

Thanks Beth, it does help quite a bit. I suspect it is Porotermes adamsoni but cant rule out another group for sure. If you can use the original of the last photo to make an enlargement of the soldier, that might help. And were the soldiers unusually long for termites, i.e. 10mm? And did they have flattened heads?

Termitoidae (informal group)

BethanyDunne wrote:

7 Jan 2025

Thanks Don, I've added two additional photos with some of the soldiers if that helps?

Termitoidae (informal group)

Termites (superfamily Termitoidea)

Termites (superfamily Termitoidea)

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