Cryptotermes domesticus

The domestic drywood termite, (Cryptotermes domesticus), is a species of dry wood termite of the genus Cryptotermes. It is native to Malaysia, Borneo, Australia, China and Sri Lanka. It is mainly a house termite and also found in cultivated areas. The presence of this termite can be identified by small heaps of tiny egg-like pellets of excreta.[1] It is a larger termite species, with 3.25-5.90mm in soldiers. It is considered as a minor pest in Australia, but is a serious pest causing wood damage in other parts of the world.[2]

Domestic drywood termite
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Infraorder: Isoptera
Family: Kalotermitidae
Genus: Cryptotermes
Species:
C. domesticus
Binomial name
Cryptotermes domesticus
(Haviland, 1898)
Synonyms
  • Calotermes domesticus Haviland & Sharp, 1896, nomen nudum
  • Calotermes domesticus Haviland, 1898
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) formosae Holmgren, 1912
  • Calotermes kotoensis Oshima, 1912
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) ogasawaraensis Oshima, 1913
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) dentatus Oshima, 1914
  • Cryptotermes campbelli Light,1924
  • Cryptotermes hermsi Kirby, 1925
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) buxtoni Hill, 1926
  • Kalotermes (Cryptotermes) breviarticulatus Snyder, 1926
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) gulosus Hill, 1927
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) repentinus Hill, 1927
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) torresi Hill, 1927
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) lignarius Jepson, 1931, nomen nudum
  • Calotermes (Cryptotermes) tectus Jepson, 1931, nomen nudum

Description

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  • Imago - General body color is pale yellowish brown. Head is paler than other parts. Wings hyaline or faintly tinged with brown. Eyes comparatively large and distinct. Antennae composed of 15-16 segments. Head and pronotum with mild hairs.
  • Soldier - Head color varies from very dark brown to black. Head capsule is glabrous. Well developed genal horns present. Antennae composed of 9-15 segments.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "An annotated checklist of termites (Isoptera) from Sri Lanka". National Science Foundation. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  2. ^ "A review on drywood termite Cryptotermes domesticus (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)". ACTA ENTOMOLOGICA SINICA. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Drywood termite - Cryptotermes domesticus(Haviland)(Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)". PaDIL. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
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