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Odontotermes

Specimen image via iDigBio

EntityQ16613209· pop 9· linked from 28 articles

Odontotermes

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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).

Species

GENUS

  1. KingdomAnimalia
  2. PhylumArthropoda
  3. ClassInsecta
  4. OrderBlattodea
  5. FamilyTermitidae

via GBIF

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 sections
Contents
  • 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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