''Reticulitermes hesperus'', the western subterranean termite, is a species of termite in the family Rhinotermitidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Ecology

Adults and nymphs are preyed on by the larvae of the lacewing ''

Lomamyia latipennis ''Lomamyia latipennis'' is a species of insect in the family Berothidae. The larvae feed on termites which they subdue with an aggressive allomone. The first instar An instar (, from the Latin '' īnstar'', "form", "likeness") is a developmenta ...

''. The lacewing lays its eggs on stumps and rotten logs and the newly hatched larvae make their way to termite galleries via crevices. Having found a termite, the first

instar An instar (, from the Latin '' īnstar'', "form", "likeness") is a developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, between each moult (''ecdysis''), until sexual maturity is reached. Arthropods must shed the exoskeleton in order to grow or ass ...

larva waves its abdomen and releases an

allomone An allomone (from Ancient Greek ' "other" and pheromone) is a type of semiochemical produced and released by an individual of one species that affects the behaviour of a member of another species to the benefit of the originator but not the rec ...

which paralyses the termite in two to three minutes; it then consumes the termite. Second and third instar lacewing larvae can subdue several termites at the same time.

Ecology

References

Further reading