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''Kalotermes flavicollis'', the yellownecked dry-wood termite, is a species of
There are four castes of these termites, the nymphs (sizes varies from 4 to 6 mm, color is white or creamy), the larvae (translucent and smaller than the nymphs), the soldiers (whitish, with prominent brown heads and strong mandibles, length of about 8 mm) and the breeding adults. ''Kalotermes flavicollis'' has no special caste of adult workers since all the tasks in the colony are performed by nymphs.
The adults reach of length, with a wingspan of about . The basic coloration of their body is pale yellow or dark brown. The pronotum is yellow-orange (hence the Latin name ''flavicollis'', meaning 'yellow-necked'), while antennae and distal parts of legs are pale yellow. The male (the king) and the female (the queen) have a more chitinous body, as well two pairs of membranous wings, long, narrow and slightly smoky, essential in the nuptial flight. The wings are held horizontally, overlapping the abdomen when the insect is at rest, so that just one wing is visible. The females are on average a little larger than males.
Biolib
Termites
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3812640 Termites Insects described in 1793 Insects of Europe Taxa named by Johan Christian Fabricius
dampwood termite
Archotermopsidae is a family of termites in the order Blattodea, known as dampwood termites, formerly included within the family Termopsidae. They constitute a small and rather primitive family with five extant genera and 13–20 living species. ...
s belonging to the family Kalotermitidae, one of the most primitive families of termites.
Distribution
This species is mainly present in France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Spain, in theNear East
The ''Near East''; he, המזרח הקרוב; arc, ܕܢܚܐ ܩܪܒ; fa, خاور نزدیک, Xāvar-e nazdik; tr, Yakın Doğu is a geographical term which roughly encompasses a transcontinental region in Western Asia, that was once the hist ...
, Ecuador and in North Africa.
Description
There are four castes of these termites, the nymphs (sizes varies from 4 to 6 mm, color is white or creamy), the larvae (translucent and smaller than the nymphs), the soldiers (whitish, with prominent brown heads and strong mandibles, length of about 8 mm) and the breeding adults. ''Kalotermes flavicollis'' has no special caste of adult workers since all the tasks in the colony are performed by nymphs.
The adults reach of length, with a wingspan of about . The basic coloration of their body is pale yellow or dark brown. The pronotum is yellow-orange (hence the Latin name ''flavicollis'', meaning 'yellow-necked'), while antennae and distal parts of legs are pale yellow. The male (the king) and the female (the queen) have a more chitinous body, as well two pairs of membranous wings, long, narrow and slightly smoky, essential in the nuptial flight. The wings are held horizontally, overlapping the abdomen when the insect is at rest, so that just one wing is visible. The females are on average a little larger than males.
Life cycle
The nuptial flight of males and females, both fertile and winged, takes place preferably overnight from the middle of July until October, when they swarm to form new colonies. After mating they lose their wings and build a new colony composed of "the royal couple" (king and queen) and approximately 1,000 to 2,000 individuals.Habitat
This Mediterranean species is mainly encountered close to the sea coast, where temperature are higher. Because termites are xylophagous, their colonies usually are located in the roots or trunks of old trees. They dig tunnels and feed on wood, which can cause the death of infested trees. They also infest beams and roofs of houses, and books in libraries and archives, causing serious damage.References
* L. Maistrello and G. Sbrenna - Frequency of some behavioural patterns in colonies of Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera Kalotermitidae): the importance of social interactions and vibratory movements as mechanisms for social integration - Ethology Ecology & Evolution 8: 365-375, 1996External links
Biolib
Termites
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3812640 Termites Insects described in 1793 Insects of Europe Taxa named by Johan Christian Fabricius