Photos and Info on Ants and Termites of Malaysia

Parrhinotermes

2012-02-02T02:02:00.000+08:00

This species of Parrhinotermes measured at 3.5 millitemeters (both soldiers and workers). Both the soldier and worker caste are monomorphic. This species live inside the wood or trees on which they feed like some Coptotermes species.

The soldier of Parrhinotermes sp measuring at 3.5 milliteters.

The soldier is only 3.5 millimeters and smaller than the common red Nasuitermes soldier at 4.2 mm. Microtermes soldiers are 4.5 mm. Just a note that the measurement I made is of living specimen. In live specimen many species will have the head and abdomen slightly tilted downwards that contributes to a shorter measurement.

The soldier of Parrhinotermes sp with some reproductive nymphs.

A soldier of Parrhinotermes sp.

A worker of Parrhinotermes sp.

Workers of Parrhinotermes sp.

Soldier of Parrhinotermes sp.

A soldier and worker of Parrhinotermes sp.

A soldier and workers of Parrhinotermes sp.

Worker and larva of Parrhinotermes sp.

Queen of Parrhinotermes sp with reproductive larvae, workers and soldier.

Gyne of Parrhinotermes sp with reproductive larvae, workers and soldier.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Subclass: Pterygota

Infraclass: Neoptera

Superorder: Dictyoptera

Order: Isoptera 7499

Family: Rhinotermitidae 36985

Subfamily: Rhinotermitinae 72652

Genus: Parrhinotermes 62956

Last Updated: 2012 02 02
© 2011 - 2012 Quah. All rights reserved.

Protohamitermes globiceps

2012-01-22T00:30:00.000+08:00

Protohamitermes globiceps is a termite species without a soldier caste. This species nest primary inside large fallen forest trees. Some workers appeared to take on a defensive role when the nest is breached. These might be the older workers of the nest. The species appeared to produce alates all year round as the imago are always found among the workers.

Workers and imago of Protohamitermes globiceps.

Workers and imago of Protohamitermes globiceps

Imago of Protohamitermes globiceps.

Workers of Protohamitermes globiceps.

A worker of Protohamitermes globiceps.

Taxonomy

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Animalia

Subkingdom: Bilateria

Branch: Protostomia

Infrakingdom: Ecdysozoa

Superphylum: Panarthropoda

Phylum: Arthropoda

Subphylum: Mandibulata

Infraphylum: Atelocerata

Superclass: Panhexapoda

Epiclass: Hexapoda

Class: Insecta

Subclass: Dicondylia

Infraclass: Pterygota 7496

Superorder: Dictyoptera 6970

Order: Isoptera 7499

Family: Termitidae 46569

Subfamily: Termitinae 92738

Group: Amitermes group 377832 (no rank)

Genus: Protohamitermes 229670 (NCBI id)

Last Updated: 2012 01 22

Centromyrmex feae

2012-01-16T01:11:00.000+08:00

Centromyrmex feae is a blind subterranean ant that are rarely seen as they spent most of their life underground tunnelling in the loose forest soil searching for prey. Though they frequently target termites they also takes in other prey including brood of other subterranean arthropods and ants.

Strong forelimbs of this ants serves as an effective to tool to aid underground movement of this ant as it tunnels its way in the loose top soil of the forest searching for prey.

Bristle like hair on the lower limbs are used to brush of dirt and soil from its body.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Arthropoda
Subphylum - Hexapoda
Class - Insecta
Subclass - Pterygota
Infraclass - Neoptera
Order - Hymenoptera
Suborder - Apocrita
Infraorder - Aculeata
Superfamily - Vespoide
Family - Formicidae -- ants, fourmis
Subfamily - Ponerinae
Genus: Centromyrmex
Species: feae

Last Updated: 1 January 2012
© 2009 - 2012 Quah. All rights reserved.

Pheidole Sp.

2012-01-01T02:28:00.000+08:00

A brown polygynous species of Pheidole ant. This species typically inhabit more heavily wooded areas and it not known to be a pest. Common to the Pheidole genus this species is dimorphic with two expression in the worker caste.

Below the queen, male alate, soldiers and workers of this average size Pheidole species.

Minor worker of Pheidole sp.

Queen, a major worker and minor workers of a brown Pheidole species.

Queen and minor workers of Pheidole sp.

Male alate and workers of Pheidole sp.

Minor workers of Pheidole sp.

Nest of Pheidole sp showing major and minor workers, and the queen.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Subphylum: Hexapoda

Class: Insecta

Subclass: Pterygota

Infraclass: Neoptera

Order: Hymenoptera

Suborder: Apocrita

Infraorder: Aculeata

Superfamily: Vespoidea

Family: Formicidae

Subfamily: Myrmicinae

Genus: Pheidole

Last Updated: 2012 01 01

Prenolepis Imparis.

2011-12-28T01:01:00.001+08:00

Prenolepis imparis is a common small sugar loving ant consider to be a pest ant in some countries.

Prenolepis imparis workers attending to the brood.

Prenolepis imparis workers attending to the brood. Beside it is a pupa of a parasitoid wasp.

Prenolepis imparis workers attending to the brood. Below a worker a pupa of a parasitoid wasp.

Prenolepis imparis workers attending to the brood.

Alate gyne of Prenolepis imparis.

Prenolepis imparis workers attending to the brood.

Alate male and female of Prenolepic imparis.

Prenolepis imparis workers attending to the brood.

Taxonomy:
Phylum - Arthropoda
Subphylum - Hexapoda
Class - Insecta
Subclass - Pterygota
Infraclass - Neoptera
Order - Hymenoptera
Suborder - Apocrita
Infraorder - Aculeata
Superfamily - Vespoide
Family - Formicidae -- ants, fourmis
Subfamily - Formicinae
Genus - Prenolepis
Species - imparis

© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.

Solenopsis Molesta The Thief Ant.

2011-12-12T00:12:00.001+08:00

Of the Solenopsis genus Solenopsis molesta is one of the smallest at 2 mm long. Like many small ants including some species of Monomorium and of course one of the tiniest of ants Oligomyrmex, these ants are considered by many experts to be thief ants even as they are not any more "thiefing" than any other ants. They got a bad rap just on account of their being so tiny.

Queen and workers of Solenopsis molesta.

Workers of Solenopsis molesta.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Infraorder: Aculeata
Superfamily: Vespoide
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Genus: Solenopsis
Species: molesta

© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.

Nasutitermes Sp.

2011-12-01T00:01:00.009+08:00

This small red species of the Nasutitermitinae subfamily of nasute termite appears to be totally subterranean whereas the first species is known for their arboreal nest and tunnels on the trunks and branches of trees. The soldier caste of this species is dimorphic. This species is also around twenty percent longer (body length of the soldiers from tip of “stringe” to tip of abdomen). The major soldier is 5 millimeters long.

The minor worker of this red Nasute species has a much smaller head.

A minor soldier and a major soldier of Nasutitermes sp4.

A worker of Nasutitermes sp4 with a minor and a major soldier.

The major soldier of Nasutitermes species with a worker.

Major soldiers of Nasutitermes species with a worker.

Major soldiers of Nasutitermes species.

Close up shot of the major soldier of this small red Nasutitermes species with a worker.

Close up shot of the major and minor soldiers of Nasutitermes species.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Superorder: Dictyoptera
Order: Isoptera 7499
Suborder: Fontanella
Subdivision: Longiprocta

Superfamily: Termitiodae

Family - Termitidae 46569
Subfamily: Nasutitermitinae
Genera:
Aciculioiditermes - Aciculitermes - Afrosubulitermes - Agnathotermes - Ahmaditermes - Ampoulitermes - Angularitermes - Anhangatermes - Antillitermes - Araujotermes - Arcotermes - Armitermes - Atlantitermes - Australitermes - Baucaliotermes - Bulbitermes - Caetetermes - Cahuallitermes - Caribitermes - Ceylonitermellus - Ceylonitermes - Coarctotermes - Coatitermes - Coendutermes - Constrictotermes - Convexitermes - Cornitermes - Cortaritermes - Cucurbitermes - Curvitermes - Cyranotermes - Cyrilliotermes - Diversitermes - Diwaitermes - Eleanoritermes - Embiratermes - Emersonitermes - Ereymatermes - Eutermellus - Fulleritermes - Grallatotermes - Havilanditermes - Hirtitermes - Hospitalitermes - Ibitermes - Kaudernitermes - Labiotermes - Lacessititermes - Leptomyxotermes - Leucopsitermes - Longipeditermes - Macrosubulitermes - Macuxitermes - Malagasitermes - Malaysiotermes - Mimeutermes - Mironasutitermes - Mycterotermes - Nasopilotermes - Nasutitermes - Nuiginitermes - Obtusitermes - Occasitermes - Occultitermes - Oriensubulitermes - Paracornitermes - Parvitermes - Periaciculitermes - Peribulbitermes - Postsubulitermes - Proaciculitermes - Procornitermes - Rhadinotermes - Rhynchotermes - Roonwalitermes - Rotunditermes - Sinonasutitermes - Spatulitermes - Subulitermes - Syntermes - Tarditermes - Tenuirostritermes - Thailanditermes - Triangularitermes - Trinervitermes - Tumulitermes - Velocitermes - Verrucositermes - Xiaitermes

Last Updated (YMD): 2011 11 01
© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.

Strumigenys The Miniature Trapjaw Ants

2011-11-21T11:11:00.024+08:00

Strumigenys are very small trapjaw ants. These are mostly monomorphic with a single worker caste. Strumigenys are generally slow moving, some so slow that they appeared to be moving in slow motion. Many species of Strumigenys are specialist hunters of springtails even as they also scavenge food and hunt other tiny prey.

It many appear to be puzzling how such a slow moving ant is able to snare a fast moving springtail. Springtail are generally a nuisance pest to many ants (and also termites) infilterating their nests and the corridors of ant tunnels stealing bites of food that ants bring home being too alert to be caught by many ants staying just outside of their reach. The answer of course lies in the trapjaws triggered by fine hairs once a target is within striking distance.

Sp1.

A worker of a very slow moving Strumigenys species.

Workers of strumigenys.

Sp2.

This species of Strumigenys at 2 millimiters is the smallest among the species documented on this page. It is also relatively faster moving with a more regular shape head. Picture below is of a queen with a worker of Strumigenys among the brood of eggs, larvae and pupae.

Close-up of the queen or gyne of a Strumigenys species.

The queen of a Strumigenys species.

Strumigenys Sp3.

Workers of Strumigenys sp. This species resembles the previous species above quite closely but is slightly larger with a proportionately larger head.

Strumigenys sp4.

The queen (in front) and a worker of Strumigenys sp4. Strumigenys the minature trapjaw ants. Photo below shows a worker and queen (in front). Most Strumigenys are small between to 2 to 3.5 millimeters. This species is polygynous and monomorphic.

Close up view of a worker of Strumigenys sp.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Arthropoda
Subphylum - Hexapoda
Class - Insecta
Subclass - Pterygota
Infraclass - Neoptera
Order - Hymenoptera
Suborder - Apocrita
Infraorder - Aculeata
Superfamily - Vespoidea
Family - Formicidae -- ants, fourmis
Subfamily - Myrmicinae
Genus - Strumigenys

The Tropical Rainforest

2011-11-20T13:42:00.000+08:00

The tropical rainforest is an immense ecosystem that is on a fast track to extinction. Once stretching across entire tropical land masses these primary forest ecosystem are now small patches of isolated forest left mostly on hills and mountain ranges. The primary rainforest ecosystem is all but extinct on the plains and less hilly land stretches. Even on small hills these rainforest are been fell and cleared at an alarming pace.

What is left of a once immense forest sitting on an isolated hill surrounded by Oil Palm and Rubber plantations.

A closer view of the primary rainforest.

The road leading immediatedly to the foot of this rainforest preserve, as is true with most of the remaining primary rainforest reserves, are flanked on both sides by secondary jungle that are the left over after all the valuable forest trees had been logged.

Forest trees grows to between 40 to 80 meters tall. This usually takes several centuries.

A solitary giant Tualang (literary 'old eagle') tree, the last remnant of a once virgin primary (UVP) forest.

In the midst of the rainforest.

In the midst of the rainforest. On hilly land the girth of these trees rarely reach above one and half meters. Trees of larger girth found in the plains were once common but these are all forever gone.

[New] View from the foot of a large forest tree

View from the foot of a large forest tree.

Vines climbing up a tree to get sunlight its roots wrap around the tree and slowly squish the life out of it.

View from being in the midst of the rainforest. The light in the background is from a canyon behind the trees,

View from being in the midst of the rainforest.

Due to the hilly terrain, small streams and waterfalls flows downhill as tributaries to a larger river on the flatter landscape outside the rainforest preserve.

Due to the hilly terrain small streams and waterfalls are common.

[New] A small stream.

A pristine river following through the rainforest.

Occasionally one may encounter a huge clearing of the canopy.

What is left in the clearing are tall thin trunks of trees with their crowns snap off.

This happened when a huge tree fall either through old age, disease, or heavy rainfall and strong winds combined.

When huge trees fall it frequently bring down with it many of the smaller trees beside it.

Here this apparantly healthy tree have been uprooted most probably by heavy rain and strong wind.

Another fairly large tree beside it was literary snapped in two leaving only a stump.

Rotting trunks of fallen trees are common feature of the primary rainforest.

Beside this rotten trunk is that of a strangling vine that might have contributed to its fall.

Rotting trunk of a huge tree once standing fifty or more meters tall.

A tree stump.

Rotting tree trunk.

Strangling vines wrapped around the trunk of a small tree.

These vines act like a rope or chain to tie trees together. This may help hold trees together and provide greater resistance to strong winds that may snap individual trees. But however if the wind is very strong small trees tied to a large tree may be brought down when the tall tree is uproot as shown it some of the above photos.

Strangling vines.

Small flowering plant on the forest floor.

Plants on the forest floor.

Fungus.

The nest of Dicuspiditermes termite.

Nest of Pericapritermes.

Nest of Procapritermes beside the base of a tree.

Nest mound of Macrotermes carbonarius.

Nest of Bulbitermes termite.

Cicada tube.

Lichen.

[New] Moss

Moss.

Denizen of the rainforest.

A blood sucking leech. Leeches stand at attention on the forest floor waiting for a passing host.

Once she senses an approaching host the leech immediately move to engage.

During the wetter months leeches are found in abundance especially off the man made forest tracks. In the drier months blood sucking ticks abound.

A large black termite, Macrotermes carbonarius, foraging for cellulose debris on the forest floor.

A small lichen eating termite, Hospitalitermes.

The giant jungle ant, Camponotus gigas.

A giant pill millipede. Pill millipede are not pill bugs. Pill bugs are crustaceans.

A pill millipede.

The giant jungle centipede.

A vinegaroon clutching her eggs.

A stick insect.

[New] Beetle.

Longhorn beetles mating on a fallen tree trunk.

A spiny ant.

The larva of a praying mantis.

[New] Acrobat flies.

Lizard.

Moth.

Barklice.

A large jungle fly.

Colorful cockroaches.

A leaf cricket.

Caterpillar.

[New] Hairy caterpillar.

Last Updated: 2012 01 21
© 2011 - 2012 Quah. All rights reserved.

Oligomyrmex

2011-11-11T11:11:00.009+08:00

Oligomyrmex is one of the smallest of ants in terms of size. Workers of these species are typically around 1 millimeter in length. The workers are dimorphic with a major worker caste. Being so tiny they are hardly ever spotted even though they are quite common in this locale being found throughout Malaysia. When I was a young boy I thought that these were a species of Pheidole as some species do look strikingly like Pheidole especially considering they are so tiny that unless equiped with a powerful magnifying glass (lens) their features are not easily discernable. Alternate name for this genus is Carebara. Many species of Oligomyrmex are specialist thief ants but not all.

Sp1.

The major worker of Oligomyrmex sp1. This is the smallest species of Oligomyrmex in terms of body length in this page. This species is not a specialist thief ant.

Workers of Oligomyrmex against a millimeter tape. The minor worker of this first species is slightly below 1 millimeter while the major is around 1.5 millimeter.

The major and minor (turned turtle) worker of Oligomyrmex.

The major worker of Oligomyrmex sp1.

Sp2.

The major worker of a glossy looking Oligomyrmex species. This species has a glossy appearance. It also has the longish apperance as compared with the first species. This species is also not a specialist thief ant.

The minor worker of Oligomyrmex sp. The minor worker at 1 mm.

An alate gyne of Oligomyrmex.

Major and minor workers of Oligomyrmex.

A major worker of Oligomyrmex carrying a pupa.

Major and minor workers of Oligomyrmex.

Sp3.

A major worker. This third species is similar to the second with the same longish apperance but it is not glossy in appearance. This is a specialist thief ant species.

The major worker of Oligomyrmex sp3 showing the 'horns' at the back of the head.

The gyne or queen of Oligomyrmex sp3 surrounded by her protective workers.

Major and minor workers of Oligomyrmex sp3. The 'horns' at the back of the head of the major is here (top and bottom image) bearly visible.

Oligomyrmex queen surrounded by her protective workers. Two dots on the head of the major worker are the two 'horns.'

Minor workers of this Oligomyrmex species feeding on part of a dragon fly. Major workers of thief ants specialist Oligomyrmex species do not commonly take part in food acquisition.

The queen of Oligomyrmex.

Female alate of Oligomyrmex sp. in the ready for mating position.

Male alate of Oligomyrmex sp.

Sp3.

Here is a ‘long form’ Oligomyrmex species. The gaster of the minor workers are longer and pointer at the end similar to Solenopsis molesta. This is another thief ant species.

The major worker and minor worker of this longish Oligomyrmex species. Barely visible in this photo is the horns on the back of the head of the major worker.

The major worker and minor worker of this longish Oligomyrmex species

A female alate of this 'long form' Oligomyrmex ant.

Sp4.

Here is a large species of Oligomyrmex also a ‘long form’ species. The major worker at 4.5 millimeters is huge compared with the minor worker at just below 2 millimeters which is about the same size as workers of Solenopsis molesta. This is another thief ant species.

Major and minor workers of a 'large' Oligomyrmex species.

Major worker of this 'large' Oligomyrmex species showing the horns on the back of its head.

One of the larger Oligomyrmex ant, the minor worker is almost 2 millimeters.

The male of this 'large' Oligomyrmex species.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Arthropoda
Subphylum - Hexapoda
Class - Insecta
Subclass - Pterygota
Infraclass - Neoptera
Order - Hymenoptera
Suborder - Apocrita
Infraorder - Aculeata
Superfamily - Vespoidea
Family - Formicidae -- ants, fourmis
Subfamily - Myrmicinae
Genus: Carebara/Oligomyrmex.

Last Updated: 2011 11 11

Lophomyrmex Bedoti

2011-11-01T01:11:00.006+08:00

Lophomyrmex bedoti is a monomorphic small ant. Without close examination the workers of Lophomyrmex bedoti can be easily mistaken for those of Pheidole ants. Unlike Pheidole ants Lophomymex do not have a major worker caste.

A worker of Lophomyrmex bedoti.

Workers of Lophomyrmex tending to the brood.

Workers of Lophomyrmex tending to the brood

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Infraorder: Aculeata
Superfamily: Vespoide
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Genus: Lophomyrmex
Species: bedoti

Last Updated: 2011 11 01
© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.

Calyptomyrmex

2011-10-23T10:23:00.004+08:00

Calyptomyrmex is a genus of slow moving armored ant. Calyptomyrmex is monomorphic and monogynous. This mid size ant measure at slightly over 4 millimeters.There is a recess on both sides of the head behind the antennae that allow this armoured ant to withdraw their antennae similar to Cephalotes turtle ants but Calyptomyrmex lack eyes and spines (thorns). Calyptomyrmex are subterranean ants whereas Cephalotes and Cataulacus are arboreal ants.

Worker of Calyptomyrmex ant.

Workers of Calyptomyrmex ant.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Infraorder: Aculeata
Superfamily: Vespoide
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Genus: Calyptomyrmex

Last Updated: 2011 10 31
© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.

Mystrium camillae.

2011-10-10T10:10:00.004+08:00

Mystrium camillae belongs to the sub family of vampire ants Amblyoponinae. Many speices of this sub family are specialist hunter of the geophilomorph and other small centipedes. Mystrium camillae are slow moving ants.

Mystrium camillae is polygynous and polymorphic. There are three morphological expression in the workers caste.

Mystrium camillae ants with brood of larvae and pupae. The queen is far left.

The queen or gyne of Mystrium camillae.

The minor, median and major worker of Mystrium camillae.

Mystrium camillae queen.

A Mystrium camillae worker carrying a larva.

A Mystrium camillae major worker.

Mystrium camillae queen, workers, larvae and pupae.

All the three workers caste of Mystrium camillae with the brood.

Mystrium camillae workers with brood.

A geophilomorph centipede.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Infraorder: Aculeata
Superfamily: Vespoide
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Amblyoponinae
Genus: Mystrium
Species: camillae

Last Updated: 2011 10 11
© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved

Odontotermes Sp3.

2011-10-02T02:10:00.001+08:00

Another Odontotermes termite species. The soldiers are monomorphic and are 8 millimeters long. This species resembles Odontermes longignathus but is smaller and shorter. Odontotermes longignathus measured at 10 millimeters.

Soldiers and workers of Odontotermes.

A soldier and worker of Odontotermes termties.

Odontotermes termites soldier (top view).

Odontotermes soldiers.

Close up view of Odontotermes soldiers.

Odontotermes soldier.

Lateral view of Odontotermes soldier.

Odontotermes soldier turned turtle.

Close up of a Odontotermes worker.

Close up of Odontotermes worker.

Close up of a Odontotermes worker.

Taxonomy

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Arthropoda

Class - Insecta

Subclass - Pterygota

Infraclass - Neoptera

Superorder - Dictyoptera

Order - Isoptera 7499

Family - Termitidae

Subfamily - Macrotermitinae

Genus - Odontotermes

Tetramorium

2011-09-29T21:29:00.018+08:00

Tetramorium are monomorphic and polygynous ants ranging from slightly over a millimeters to 6 millimeters in length. Tetramorium are mostly daytime swarmers release their nuptial swarms during the day and their distribution are thus not affected by the night lights of human cities and towns.

Tetramorium ants.

Tetramorium sp2.

Tetramorium worker.

Tetramorium workers.

The gyne with workers and some alates.

A queen.

Tetramorium Sp3.

A small 3 millimeters species of Tetramorium.

A small species,

Another small species of Tetramorium.

Sp4.

A small species of Tetramorium workers and queen.

Male of Tetramorium ants.

Tetramorium ants tending the brood.

Sp5.

A tiny Tetramorium species at 1.4 millimeters long this species is smaller than Monomorium pharaonis.

Tiny Tetramorium worker.

Tiny Tetramorium workers.

Sp6.

A species of Tetramorium with rather large reproductives.

Workers of Tetramorium.

Workers of Tetramorium tending to the brood.

Kemneritermes.

2011-09-12T00:12:00.006+08:00

Kemneritermes appear to be a "primitive" Pericapritermes. The head of the soldier is shorter in proportion to its body and from the darkened portion of the abdomen the soldiers probably ate cellulose.

A soldier and worker of Kemneritermes termites.

This picture shows two soldiers of Kemneritermes with some workers.

Soldier of Kemneritermes termites.

Lateral view of Kemneritermes termite soldier.

Workers and a soldier of Kemneritermes termites.

Frontal view of view of Kemneritermes termite soldiers.

Tetraponera.

2011-09-01T09:09:00.027+08:00

Tetraponera are mostly aboreal but many species will also nest on fallen trees or tree trunks. Even in their foraging they frequent the ground to hunt for food.

A worker of Tetraponera rufonigra lateral view.

A worker of Tetraponera rufonigra top view.

A worker of Tetraponera rufonigra frontal view.

A worker of Tetraponera rufonigra.

Alate gyne of Tetraponera rufonigra.

Tetraponera rufroniga female alate.

The worker of Tetraponera nitida, a small Tetraponera species.

[New] Tetraponera nitida worker.

Another Tetraponera species.

Nasutitermes Sp2.

2011-08-28T08:28:00.023+08:00

A small totally subterranean Nasutitermes. This tiny Nasutitermes species build nest with big round chambers.

A soldier and worker of a subterranean Nasutitermes.

A reproductive nymph or larva, some workers and a soldier of a subterranean Nasutitermes species.

Another species of Nasutitermes (or just a subspecies).

This might be a sub species as there is a slight difference in appearance. The head of the soldier is less rounded when viewed from top.

Center is a new secondary reproductive from a pseudergate. The secondary reproductive pair has already started egg laying.This is the male, the female looks similar but is larger in the abdomen.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Subclass: Pterygota

Infraclass: Neoptera

Superorder: Dictyoptera

Order: Isoptera 7499

Suborder: Fontanella

Subdivision: Longiprocta

Superfamily: Termitiodae

Family: Termitidae 46569

Subfamily: Nasutitermitinae

Genera:

Aciculioiditermes - Aciculitermes - Afrosubulitermes - Agnathotermes - Ahmaditermes - Ampoulitermes - Angularitermes - Anhangatermes - Antillitermes - Araujotermes - Arcotermes - Armitermes - Atlantitermes - Australitermes - Baucaliotermes - Bulbitermes - Caetetermes - Cahuallitermes - Caribitermes - Ceylonitermellus - Ceylonitermes - Coarctotermes - Coatitermes - Coendutermes - Constrictotermes - Convexitermes - Cornitermes - Cortaritermes - Cucurbitermes - Curvitermes - Cyranotermes - Cyrilliotermes - Diversitermes - Diwaitermes - Eleanoritermes - Embiratermes - Emersonitermes - Ereymatermes - Eutermellus - Fulleritermes - Grallatotermes - Havilanditermes - Hirtitermes - Hospitalitermes - Ibitermes - Kaudernitermes - Labiotermes - Lacessititermes - Leptomyxotermes - Leucopsitermes - Longipeditermes - Macrosubulitermes - Macuxitermes - Malagasitermes - Malaysiotermes - Mimeutermes - Mironasutitermes - Mycterotermes - Nasopilotermes - Nasutitermes - Nuiginitermes - Obtusitermes - Occasitermes - Occultitermes - Oriensubulitermes - Paracornitermes - Parvitermes - Periaciculitermes - Peribulbitermes - Postsubulitermes - Proaciculitermes - Procornitermes - Rhadinotermes - Rhynchotermes - Roonwalitermes - Rotunditermes - Sinonasutitermes - Spatulitermes - Subulitermes - Syntermes - Tarditermes - Tenuirostritermes - Thailanditermes - Triangularitermes - Trinervitermes - Tumulitermes - Velocitermes - Verrucositermes - Xiaitermes

Last Updated: 2011 08 28

Procapritermes setiger

2011-08-15T08:18:00.000+08:00

This species of Procapritermes has long almost straight mandibles that resembles that of Termes comis and Termes fatalis. They have the longest mandibles in proportion to their body of the Procapritermes genus. Their head is long and narrow very similar to Pericapritermes.

Procapritermes setiger ssp2

The soldier of Procapritermes setiger is between 6 to 6.5mm due to its extra long mandibles. The head like those Pericapritermes soldiers is long and narrow. The soldiers of this Procapritermes setiger species (ssp2 in this blog) has its mandibles crossed when in predeployed or post strike mode typical of Procapritermes. The first species listed after this one without close examination looks exactly identical to this second species. However there is a slight difference in the mandibles such that they are reversed. The first species utilized a cross strike whereas this second species deployed an opened strike.

Procapritermes setiger subspecies 2 with reproductive nymph (larva) and workers.

Soldier of Procapritermes setiger subspecies 2 showing the mandible crossed with the right mandible over the left when they are at rest or pre-strike position.

Notice that the mandibles of this Procapritermes setiger (ssp2) are crossed when at rest unlike the species first documented by this author. That means the attacking strike is a reversed mandible strike or an open flick similar to Procapritermes.

Here you can see the right mandible is actually crossed over the top of the left. When this Procapritermes setiger soldier strike the mandibles become opened instead of crossed. So the post strike position of the mandibles is opened. This strike method is similar to those employed by Procapritermes soldiers which can be visualized by us using our thumb and middle (or index) finger to flick.

Procapritermes setiger

This species looks almost identical to the one above. One notable difference is the pre-strike position of the mandibles are not crossed. Both left and right mandibles lie side by side in the pre-strike state. The post strike position of the mandibles are crossed. After striking the soldier of this Procapritermes setiger ssp1 becomes immobilised and a clear liquid is secreted.

Procapritermes setiger soldier. This mandibles of this species are not crossed in the rest state or pre-strike state. The post strike state of the mandibles are crossed similar to that of Pericapritermes.

Here the mandibles of this Procapritermes setiger subspecies when at rest are not crossed over.

Taxonomy

Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Arthropoda
Class - Insecta
Subclass - Pterygota
Infraclass - Neoptera
Superorder - Dictyoptera
Order - Isoptera 7499
Family - Termitidae 46569
Subfamily - Termitinae 92738
Genus - Procapritermes
Species - setiger

Note: This species was earlier erroneously label under Termes comis.
Last Updated: 2012 01 01
© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.

Procapritermes Sp2

2011-08-08T08:08:00.026+08:00

This Procapritermes species resembles Termes rostratus. However the mandibles are longer and the left mandible is slightly curved rightwards and upwards (in the mid section) as is typical of Procapritermes. This species of Proocapritermes is smaller than the first species document in this blog. While the first species documented here is quite common and found in many forest areas this second species is less commonly encountered. The significantly smaller head (proportionately) of the soldier might suggest this as a transitional species.

The soldier of a Neocapritermes species.

Workers and a soldier of this Procapritermes species beside a millimeter tape.

A soldier and worker of Procapritermes termites.

Workers of Procapritermes termites.

The soldier of Procapritermes termites.

Camponotus Sp8

2011-07-27T07:27:00.006+08:00

Here is a Camponotus species that jumps. Not high just around half an inch. Typical of many Camponotus this is has four morphological expressions in the worker's caste.

The major worker of a Camponotus species. Above the larger major and below the smaller minor.

The minor worker.

Top view of the major worker.

Size comparison between the two morphological expression.

Gnamptogenys

2011-07-12T07:12:00.009+08:00

Gnamptogenys is another mostly subterranean ant found in forest and heavily wooded areas. Quite a few species of this genus routinely hunts termites though not on a scale as some Pachycondyla species do.

Two workers of a bicolor species of Gnamptogenys carrying the soldier of a small Odontotermes termite.

This first species of Gnamptogenys ant worker is 9 to 10 millimeters long the largest of the three species documented here.

Above image shows this Gnamptogenys species with a millimeter tape for size comparison.

Gnamptogenys Sp2.

Gyne of Gnamptogenys.

Queen of Gnamptogenys.

This species looks quite similar to the earlier but at 6 millimeters in total length is only around half the size.

Gnamptogenys sp2 against a millimeter tape.

Gnamptogensy ant carrying some termites.

Gnamptogenys ant feeding on a morsel of chicken meat.

Gnamptogenys costata.

This brown species of Gnamptogenys costata is 7 millimeters.

Gnamptogenys costata worker.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Infraclass: Neoptera
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Infraorder: Aculeata
Superfamily: Vespoidea
Family: Formicidae - ants, fourmis
Subfamily: Ectatomminae
Genus: Gnamptogenys.

Last Updated: 2011 12 25
© 2011 Quah. All rights reserved.

Amitermes Dentatus

2011-07-02T07:22:00.007+08:00

Amitermes dentatus is another species of wood eating termites. The soldiers are equiped with mandibles that has a tooth in the middle. Typically termite soldiers mandibles comes in four main designs - the slash (with the clasp feature), the bite and cling or grasp/clasp, the flick (either cross flick or open flick) and the cross tunnel block. Scherdorhinotermes is quite unique in that the major soldiers deploy a different mandible design (grasp and clasp) from the minor soldiers (slash or nip). Of course then there are the mandible-less, the syringed or nozzle-d. Aside these there is also the head-mandible block of Crytotermes.

Termites that do not have a soldier caste deploy other strategies of nest defence. One such species deploy the poison dung defence. The workers release a drop of opaque liquid from its abdomen that repulse and kills ants. The workers themselves are also poisonous when eaten, killing any ant that eats it.

Workers and soldiers of the termite species Amitermes dentatus.

A close up view of the soldier of Amitermes dentatus.

Top view of a soldier and worker of Amitermes dentatus.

Lateral view of of a soldier and worker of Amitermes dentatus.

Amitermes dentatus soldier viewed from top.

Lateral view of a soldier and worker of Amitermes dentatus

Dorylus Laevigatus

2011-06-26T06:26:00.006+08:00

Dorylus laevigathus is an avages size blind (eyeless) ant that is commonly subterranean. Dorylus laevigatus is another species with a high degree of polymorphism. There are at least seven different workers sizes with the smallest at slight over 2 millimeters and the largest at 9 to 10 mm. The smallest worker is seldom seen outside of the nest and its function mainly as a janitor cleaner of the workers, brood and nest. This true caste separation is seen also in leaf cutter ants and Oecophylla smaragdina.

Major workers of Dorylus laevigatus.

Dorylus laevigatus workers both major, median and minors. There are at least seven distinct workers morphology in Dorylus laevigatus the smallest workers at around 2.5 millimeters appeared to have a prominant role in the cleaning and grooming of the other workers.

The largest and smallest worker of Dorylus laevigatus.

Microcerotermes Biroi.

2011-06-12T06:12:00.002+08:00

A less common species of Microcerotermes is the Microcerotermes biroi. The mandibles of the soldiers are serrated. It is highly unusual for termites from this region to have serrations on the mandibles. One can't help but wonder about the function of these especially for very small termites. The Microcerotermes genus of termites are arboreal with their nest on the main trunks of trees.

In this Microcerotermes species the soldiers are both slimmer and with a much longer abdomen than that of the more common Microcerotermes crassus.

The serrated mandibles of the soldiers of Microcerotermes biroi.

A soldier, worker and some nymphs (or larvae) of Microcerotermes biroi.

Nymphs or larvae of the Microcerotermes biroi termites.

The unusually long abdomen of the soldier of Microcerotermes biroi.

An unusual worker with darkened head. A very small percentage of the workers of Microcerotermes have red colored heads which are typically smaller than the heads of the more common workers. Is this dimorphism of workers?

A soldier of the termite species Microcerotermes biroi.

The soldier nymph of the Microcerotermes biroi flank by two soldiers.