''Odontotermes'', commonly known as the fungus-growing termites, is a termite genus belonging to family Termitidae, which is native to the

Old World The "Old World" is a term for Afro-Eurasia that originated in Europe , after Europeans became aware of the existence of the Americas. It is used to contrast the continents of Africa, Europe, and Asia, which were previously thought of by the ...

. 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.

Castes

The queen is imprisoned in a clay cell in the midst of the fungal garden at the center of the hive. The African species have a single soldier cast, unlike the related genus '' Macrotermes''.

Food

Their only food is the fungus grown in the fungal garden at the center of the nest. The fungus is cultivated on a substrate of wood,

bark Bark may refer to: * Bark (botany), an outer layer of a woody plant such as a tree or stick * Bark (sound), a vocalization of some animals (which is commonly the dog) Places * Bark, Germany * Bark, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland Arts, ...

, leaf litter, dry dung, and dead grass. These are plastered with cement where they are obtained, which facilitates diurnal foraging. ''Odontotermes'' species are major contributors to litter decomposition. The fungus ''

Termitomyces reticulatus ''Termitomyces reticulatus'' is a species of agaric fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Found in southern Africa, it was described as new to science in 1990. It is associated with the termite species ''Odontotermes badius'' and ''Odontotermes tra ...

'' is found in association with '' O. badius'' and '' O. transvaalensis'' in Africa.

Species

Species include: * ''

Odontotermes assmuthi The sugarcane termite (''Odontotermes assmuthi'') is a species of termite of the genus ''Odontotermes''. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. It is recorded from coconut palms and is a pest of sugarcane. Description General body color is creamy ...

'' Holmgren, 1913 – South Asia * ''

Odontotermes badius ''Odontotermes'', commonly known as the fungus-growing termites, is a termite genus belonging to family Termitidae, which is native to the Old World. They are most destructive in wooden homes, and are agricultural pests in the tropics and subtrop ...

'' (Haviland, 1898) – Africa * ''

Odontotermes ceylonicus ''Odontotermes ceylonicus'', is a species of termite of the genus ''Odontotermes''. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. Though nests in the ground, they never construct termitaria. It attacks many dead, diseased rotten plant roots and wooden ...

'' (Wasmann, 1902) – South Asia * ''

Odontotermes escherichi ''Odontotermes escherichi'', is a small species of termite of the genus ''Odontotermes''. It is native to India, Sri Lanka and Peninsular Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia ( ms, Semenanjung Malaysia; Jawi: سمننجڠ مليسيا), or the St ...

'' Holmgren, 1911 – South Asia * ''

Odontotermes feae The Fungus-growing termite, (''Odontotermes feae''), also known as South Asian wood-destroying termite, is a small species of earth dwelling termite of the genus ''Odontotermes''. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. Host plants It attacks many ...

'' (Wasmann, 1896) – South Asia * ''

Odontotermes formosanus ''Odontotermes formosanus'' is a species of fungus-growing termite in the family Termitidae. It is native to southeastern Asia and was first described from Taiwan (then called ''Formosa''). This termite cultivates a symbiotic fungus in a special ...

'' (Shiraki) – South Asia * ''

Odontotermes globicola ''Odontotermes globicola'' is a species of small termite of the genus ''Odontotermes''. It is native to India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங ...

'' (Wasmann, 1902) – South Asia * '' Odontotermes horni'' (Wasmann, 1902) – South Asia * '' Odontotermes koenigi'' (Desneux, 1906) – South Asia * ''

Odontotermes latericius ''Odontotermes'', commonly known as the fungus-growing termites, is a termite genus belonging to family Termitidae, which is native to the Old World. They are most destructive in wooden homes, and are agricultural pests in the tropics and subtrop ...

'' (Haviland, 1898) – Africa * '' Odontotermes obesus'' (Rambur) – South Asia * '' Odontotermes preliminaris'' (Holmgren, 1911) – South Asia * ''

Odontotermes redemanni ''Odontotermes redemanni'', is a species of termite of the genus ''Odontotermes''. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. It damages wooden constructions. It is a pest of sugarcane, tea and coconut. They construct termitaria during November to Mar ...

'' (Wasmann, 1893) – South Asia * '' Odontotermes taprobanes'' (Walker, 1853) – South Asia * '' Odontotermes transvaalensis'' (Sjöstedt, 1902) – Africa * ''

Odontotermes wallonensis ''Odontotermes'', commonly known as the fungus-growing termites, is a termite genus belonging to family Termitidae, which is native to the Old World. They are most destructive in wooden homes, and are agricultural pests in the tropics and subtrop ...

'' Wasmann – South Asia

Gallery

Odontotermes badius, werkerkaste, Pretoria, a.jpg, ''O. badius'' worker Odontotermes badius, sement op boombas, Waterberg.jpg, Cement plastered over tree bark Odontotermes badius, werkerkaste, Skeerpoort, b.jpg, Workers foraging on tree bark under cement Odontotermes badius, in oop ventilasietonnel, Skeerpoort, e.jpg, Workers in ventilation tunnel

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q16613209 Termite genera Insects of Africa Insects of Asia Insect pests of millets