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Odontotermes
Sign in to saveOdontotermes is a termite genus belonging to subfamily Macrotermitinae (fungus-growing termites), which is native to the Old World. They are most destructive in wooden homes, and are agricultural pests in the tropics and subtropics of Africa and Asia. It is the most diverse termite genus in Africa, with 78 species recorded (as of 2002).
Museum specimens
- Specimen records
- 44
- With media
- 3
- Family
- Termitidae
- Collections
- MSU, USNM, UPS
- Recorded in
- India, Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The, Malaysia, Kenya, Gambia
~3 min read
Encyclopedic overview
6 sectionsContents
- Nests
- Castes
- Food
- Species
- Gallery
- References
Odontotermes is a termite genus belonging to subfamily Macrotermitinae (fungus-growing termites), which is native to the Old World. They are most destructive in wooden homes, and are agricultural pests in the tropics and subtropics of Africa and Asia. It is the most diverse termite genus in Africa, with 78 species recorded (as of 2002).
==Nests== Their underground nests form a slight mound above ground, which may be covered in grass. In large colonies, the mounds may be up to in diameter, and may be covered by shrubs and trees. Some species construct open chimneys or vent holes that descend into the mound. The fungal garden is enveloped by a thick layer of clay.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Odontotermes” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.
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