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Termites

Formosan subterranean termite
Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae: Coptotermitinae)

Status
Exotic (absent from Australia) High Impact Pest Species

Dorsal view soldier Zoomify

Caption: USA. Honolulu, Hawaii, 2 May 1995.

Source: Simon Hinkley & Ken Walker Museum Victoria

The soldiers of C formosanus resemble those of C gestroi. Both species have a large fontanelle, when viewed from above, both also have a tear drop-shaped head;

The soldiers of two species may be separated as:

- Coptotermes gestroi soldiers have one pair of hairs near the rim of the fontanelle and the lateral profile of the top of the head just behind the fontanelle shows a weak bulge

- C. formosanus has two pairs of hairs that originate around the fontanelle and the lateral profile of the top of the head just behind the fontanelle do not show a weak bulge,

The alates of these two species may be separated as:

- C. gestroi combined body and wing length 13-14mm, maximum head width 1.4mm; colour on head, pronotum, and dorsal abdomen dark brown.

- C. formosanus combined body and wing length 14-15 mm, and maximum head width 1.5mm; colour on head, pronotum, and dorsal abdomen entirely a lighter yellow-brown or orange-brown.

Source:

http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/termites/havilandi.htm

PaDIL Links:
Coptotermes termite (Coptotermes acinaciformis)
Coptotermes termite (Coptotermes frenchi)
Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi)
Milk Termite (Coptotermes lacteus)

Specimen contact point: AQIS - Brisbane and NSW

Citation: Walker, K. (2009) Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) Pest and Diseases Image Library. Updated on 2/10/2009 1:51:50 PM. Available online: http://www.padil.gov.au

Created Date: 10/31/2005 12:48:30 PM

Last Updated: 2/10/2009 1:51:50 PM

Diagnostic Images
Fontanelle	Head Side	Head Top	Pronotum
Tarsi
Overview Images
Dorsal	Lateral	Posterior
Other Images
Diagnostic notes	Lateral view soldier	Worker