Termites Flashcards
What is a termitaria?
Termitaria is one of the common terms used as nest of termites where the colony is thriving. Termitaria is formed using soil (depending on environment and termites’ preference) cemented by saliva and feces of termites and baked by sun. This nest serves as protection of termites against predation and desiccation.
What is termite? An epigeal termite?
Termite is a terrestrial eusocial insect recently reclassified under the Order Blattodea from a common ancestor with cryptocercid roaches in late Jurassic of Mesozoic Era. This is proven through genetic analysis by Inward et al., 2007.
Classification of termites per Pervez 2018 varies depending on feeding habits and habitat such as drywood, dampwood and subterranean termites. Noirot and Johana in 2000 have further categorized subterranean termites depending on the location of soil nest,
-subterranean, nest underground
-arboreal, hanging in trees
-epigeal, nest above the ground or protruding on earth’s surface
Who is the leading termite expert in Philippines and abroad?
Dr. Menandro Acda is the number one recognized termite experts as his research interests involve termite biology and wood preservation. Majority of the studies of Dr. Acda is focused on the termite biology and control since the number one enemy of forest woods in the country are termites.
Internationally, Rebeca Rosengaus from Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts, USA. Her research interests include evolution of termite sociality and disease susceptibility and resistance.
Are their termite species endemic to the country?
There are several termite species known to be endemic in the country such as N. luzonicus and S. makilingensis both were identified by Dr. Acda. M. gilvus is not endemic but is a common termite species in Southeast Asia and is considered as the second most destructive termite species. Therefore, are more prone to elimination.
How sure are you that in one colony = one termite species?
In biology we know that a single species in a colony allows a greater chance of survival for the whole nest since, co-existence with different species can cause competition of habitat and resources among species.
Study of Neoh and Lee 2009 showed flight disparities between sympatric species M. gilvus and M. carbonarius to assure successful colony formation and prevent interbreeding. Disparities include time and month of flight, temperature and relative humidity (page 21: flight disparities).
Additionally, a particular termite species releases hydrocarbon in cuticle common to the colony, in this way, though they are blind, they are still capable of identifying their original co-caste members.
Do you have an idea on the caste composition of termites in a mound?
Caste composition of termites vary per species. For M. gilvus, accdg to Lee et al., 2012, larvae (42%), workers (42%), soldiers (14%), reproductives (a pair or less than 1%).
Height categories of your mounds?
Population in mounds varies accdg to size of the mound. The larger the mound, the greater the population. Per Subekti et al., 2019, categorized mounds accdg to height,
Small= 0-0.99m (T3 & T4)
Medium= 1-1.99m (rest of the mounds)
Large= >2m
What are the weight and sizes of termites?
M. gilvus workers usually are 0.02g to 0.06g (Subekti et al., 2019)
What is eusociality?
Eusociality is the highest organization in insect species. It involves brooding and caring of youngers, feeding and protecting them.
How sure are you on the identification of your termite species?
For termite species identification, soldiers were commonly used to due to the evident morphological variations of soldier per termite species. Usually, number of segments in the antennae, protruding mandibles and body colors of soldiers were used to differentiate species of termites in a mound. Workers appear similar to all termite species.
Accdg to studies, M. gilvus is the only species of Macrotermes present in the country. It is usually identified due to the unequal proportion of soldier’s head to its body, and mandibles were large and the space between pincers were pronounced. Additionally, Dr. Acda actually did the ID.
Describe castes of termites and life cycle.
Castes of termites were divided into reproductives and non-reproductives. For reproductives, we have the queen and king that built the colony and the alates that will continue the generation. Non reproductives include workers, and soldiers. Workers are pale white in color and are soft bodied, smaller than soldiers. Soldiers are larger and have sclerotized protruding mandibles for protecting the colony.
The life cycle of termite is hemimetabolous. Egg to Nymph to Adult. Caste were determined during 1st to 2nd post embryonic development.
