Introduction

The family Rhinotermitidae contains five Australian genera, none endemic, placed in four of the seven subfamilies of Rhinotermitidae. Watson & Gay (1991) recognised 30 species but recent studies indicate a larger fauna. The subfamily Heterotermitinae includes only one genus in Australia, Heterotermes, the species of which are poorly understood. The late A.E. Emerson (pers. comm.), in an unpublished revision of Heterotermes, elevated the subspecies of Heterotermes paradoxus to specific status, a course that we have followed. Recent analyses of cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, coupled with canonical variate analyses of soldier measurements and detailed comparison of alates, have shown that the south-eastern species H. ferox is a complex of species not including the south-western Australian H. occiduus (Watson et al. 1989). There is good reason to suppose that other "species" of Heterotermes will also prove to be complexes.

The subfamily Coptotermitinae is co-extensive with the genus Coptotermes, which includes the termites that do most damage in Australia, at least in economic terms. Six species are included in the Catalogue. However, as with species of Heterotermes, we know from analyses of cuticular hydrocarbons that at least three of these "species" are complexes—C. acinaciformis, our most important termite economically, C. frenchi, also of major economic importance, and C. lacteus, a benign species (Brown et al. 1990).

The subfamily Prorhinotermitinae includes only one Australian species, Prorhinotermes inopinatus, widespread in the south-west Pacific. Two Australian genera, Parrhinotermes and Schedorhinotermes, are placed in the Rhinotermitinae. No undescribed species are recognised. However, as with the subspecies of Heterotermes paradoxus, we follow the late A.E. Emerson's unpublished recognition that the subspecies of Schedorhinotermes intermedius should be accorded specific status (cf. Watson 1969). Many species of rhinotermitid have large colonies, and live in compact nests. Several Australian species of Coptotermes are unique in that genus in building mounds, some of which are conspicuous, up to 2 m high.

Jones (2013) listed 27 species for Barrow Island, Western Australia, including 5 species in this family.

Diagnosis

Alate: antennae 14- to 22-segmented; ocelli usually present; fontanelle present, sometimes indistinct; left mandible with three marginal teeth, right mandible with small subsidiary tooth at base of first marginal; pronotum more or less flattened, narrower than to as wide as head; wings often reticulate, forewing scale larger than scale of hindwing; tarsi 4-segmented; tibial formula 2/3–2/3–2/3; cerci 2-segmented.

Soldiers: antennae 12- to 20-segmented; eyes usually lacking; fontanelle present, sometimes very prominent; mandibles well developed, with or without marginal teeth; pronotum flat, narrower than head; tarsi 4-segmented, tibial formula as in alate.

General References

Brown, W.V., Watson, J.A.L., Carter, F.L., Lacey, M.J., Barrett, R.A. & McDaniel, C.A. 1990. Preliminary examination of cuticular hydrocarbons of worker termites as chemotaxonomic characters for some Australian species of Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 16: 305-328

Jones, D.T. 2013. The termites of Barrow Island. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 83: 241-144

Watson, J.A.L. 1969. Schedorhinotermes derosus, a harvester termite in northern Australia (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Insectes Sociaux 16: 173-178

Watson, J.A.L., Brown, W.V., Miller, L.R., Carter, F.L. & Lacey, M.J. 1989. Taxonomy of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in south-eastern Australia: cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, and soldier and alate morphology. Systematic Entomology 14: 299-325

Watson, J.A.L. & Gay, F.J. 1991. Isoptera (Termites). pp. 330-347 in CSIRO (ed.). The Insects of Australia. A textbook for students and research workers. Melbourne : Melbourne University Press Vol. 1 2.

History of changes

• Coptotermes Wasmann, E. 1896. Viaggio di Leonardo Fea in Birmania e regione vicine LXXII. Neue Termitophilen und Termiten aus Indien. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Genova 2 16: 613-630 pls 2 [629] [first introduced as a subgenus of Termes Linnaeus, 1758].

  Type species:

   Termes gestroi Wasmann, 1896 by monotypy.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Snyder, T.E. 1949. Catalog of the termites (Isoptera) of the world. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 112: 1-490 [75]

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

RHINOTERMITIDAE: Termes fumipennis Walker, 1853 [= Coptotermes fumipennis (Walker, 1815), see Watson, J.A.L. & Gay, F.J. 1980. The identities of Termes australis Walker and Termes fumipennis Walker (Isoptera). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 19: 19–25 [22]]

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Introduced to Malagasy and Nearctic Regions, Hawaii and New Zealand.

IBRA

ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

• Madagascar

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, S Gulfs, SE coastal, W plateau
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea

Nearctic Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Distribution References

History of changes

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

• Calaby, J.H. & Gay, F.J. 1956. The distribution and biology of the genus Coptotermes (Isoptera) in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 4: 19-39 [30]

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

IBRA

ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, S Gulfs, SE coastal, W plateau
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

History of changes

• Termes acinaciformis Froggatt, W.W. 1898. Australian Termitidae. Part III. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 22: 721-758 pls xxxiv-xxxv [date on journal 1897, actual date of publication 4 June, 1898 Musgrave, A. 1932. Bibliography of Australian Entomology 1775–1930 with Biographical Notes on Authors and Collectors. Sydney : Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales viii 380 pp. [103]] [740].

  Type data:

   Lectotype AMNH alate ♂, Halls Creek (as Hall's Creek), Kimberley, WA.
  Paralectotype(s) AMNH soldier (morphotype, type colony); ANIC alate(s), soldier(s) (type colony; cannot be located); NMV ♂ alate, ♀ alate, soldiers, worker (type colony).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [147].

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Unknown from alpine regions and rain forest, apparently a complex of species.

IBRA

ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, S Gulfs, SE coastal, W plateau
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests in mounds, tree trunks and buildings, or subterranean, diet includes sound timber in service, major economic importance.

General References

Brown, W.V., Watson, J.A.L., Carter, F.L., Lacey, M.J., Barrett, R.A. & McDaniel, C.A. 1990. Preliminary examination of cuticular hydrocarbons of worker termites as chemotaxonomic characters for some Australian species of Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 16: 305-328 [319-324] (biology, cuticular hydrocarbons, species complex)

Calaby, J.H. & Gay, F.J. 1956. The distribution and biology of the genus Coptotermes (Isoptera) in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 4: 19-39 [20-30] (biology, distribution)

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [159-161] (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [32] (distribution)

History of changes

• Coptotermes raffrayi Wasmann, E. 1900. Description of a termite associated with a pselaphid. pp. 244-245 in Raffray, A. Australian Pselaphidae. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 25: 131-249 pl. x [244].

  Type data:

   Holotype MW soldier, Swan River, WA.

  Secondary source:

   Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [168-169].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

N to Northampton.

IBRA

WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Carnarvon (CAR), Esperance Plains (ESP), Gascoyne (GAS), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Mallee (MAL), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests in mounds, tree trunks or subterranean, diet includes sound timber in service, major economic importance.

General References

Calaby, J.H. & Gay, F.J. 1956. The distribution and biology of the genus Coptotermes (Isoptera) in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 4: 19-39 [20-30] (biology, distribution)

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [169] (biology, importance)

Postle, A. & Abbott, I. 1991. Termites of economic significance in suburban Perth, Western Australia: a preliminary study of their distribution and association with types of wood (Isoptera). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 30: 183-186 [183-186] (importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [32] (distribution)

History of changes

• Coptotermes brunneus Gay, F.J. 1955. A new Coptotermes and Ahamitermes (Isoptera) from Australia. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 79: 177-181 [177].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC No. 9051 ♀ alate, 51 miles (82 km) NNW Galena, WA.
  Paratype(s) ANIC soldier, worker (morphotypes); ANIC series Nos 10 7290, 10 7293, 10 7294 alates, soldiers, workers (type colony).

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Narrow strip from Hamelin Pool to Tenindewa.

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR), Gascoyne (GAS), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests in mounds, diet sound and weathered wood.

General References

Gay, F.J. 1955. A new Coptotermes and Ahamitermes (Isoptera) from Australia. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 79: 177-181 [179-180] (biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [33] (distribution)

History of changes

• Coptotermes cooloola Lee, T.R.C., Evans, T.A., Cameron, S.L., Ho, S.Y.W., Namyatova, A.A. & Lo, N. 2017. A review of the status of Coptotermes (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae) species in Australia with the description of two new small termite species from northern and eastern Australia. Invertebrate Systematics 31: 180-190 [183].
  Zoobank Registration Number:http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C6BF22E2-888E-4420-B8 C3-E04FE81E0D78

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K.378565 Soldier, Springfield, 20 km SW of Brisbane city, Queensland.
  Paratype(s) AM K.378562–K.378564, K.378566–K.378569 Soldiers (7), Springfield, 20 km SW of Brisbane city, Queensland.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

History of changes

• Coptotermes dreghorni Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [170].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC No. 9050 ♀ dealate, Timber Reserve No. 263, Parish of Dirran, about 5 miles (8 km) E Ravenshoe, QLD.
  Paratype(s) ANIC soldier, worker (morphotypes); ANIC series No. 10 3895 queen, alates, soldiers, workers (type colony).

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Primarily Atherton Tableland.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, rain forest, nests in tree trunks, mounds (occasionally), possibly subterranean, diet sound and rotted wood, minor economic importance.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [171] (biology, importance)

Ratcliffe, F.N., Gay, F.J. & Greaves, T. 1952. Australian Termites. The biology, recognition, and economic importance of the common species. Melbourne : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization 124 pp. [84] (biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [33] (distribution)

History of changes

• Coptotermes frenchi Hill, G.F. 1932. Australian termites (Isoptera). Biological notes and descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 44: 134-154 [142] [nom. nov. for Coptotermes flavus Hill, 1926].
• Coptotermes flavus Hill, G.F. 1926. Australian termites (Isoptera). Notes on Stolotermes, Calotermes, and Coptotermes, with descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 38: 192-214 [207] [junior homonym of Coptotermes flavus Bugnion & Popoff, 1910].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10844 ♂ alate, Melbourne, VIC (label with lectotype and morphotypes indicates Hawthorn, a Melbourne suburb).
  Paralectotype(s) NMV soldier, worker (morphotypes, not from type colony); NMV soldiers, workers (not from type colony).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [152].
• Coptotermes labiosus Hill, G.F. 1926. Australian termites (Isoptera). Notes on Stolotermes, Calotermes, and Coptotermes, with descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 38: 192-214 [213] [this taxon may be a valid species; its status is the subject of current research, L. Miller, this work].

  Type data:

   Lectotype SAMA No. Is.41.001 ♀ alate, Barton, SA.
  Paralectotype(s) SAMA soldier plus workers (morphotype, type colony; material dried out at some stage); NMV alate, soldier, workers (type colony).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [149]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Apparently a complex of species.

IBRA

NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Carnarvon (CAR), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Queensland: Murray-Darling basin, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Murray-Darling basin, S Gulfs, SE coastal, W plateau
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests in tree trunks, mounds or subterranean, diet includes sound timber in service, major economic importance.

General References

Brown, W.V., Watson, J.A.L., Carter, F.L., Lacey, M.J., Barrett, R.A. & McDaniel, C.A. 1990. Preliminary examination of cuticular hydrocarbons of worker termites as chemotaxonomic characters for some Australian species of Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 16: 305-328 [311, 317-319, 325-326] (cuticular hydrocarbons, species complex)

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [151-152] (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. 1988. Termites in the Canberra Region. 2nd Edn. Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation viii 63 pp. (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [34] (distribution)

History of changes

• Termes lacteus Froggatt, W.W. 1898. Australian Termitidae. Part III. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 22: 721-758 pls xxxiv-xxxv [date on journal 1897, actual date of publication 4 June, 1898 Musgrave, A. 1932. Bibliography of Australian Entomology 1775–1930 with Biographical Notes on Authors and Collectors. Sydney : Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales viii 380 pp. [103]] [721] [subsequent spelling upheld by ICZN 1994. Opinion 1781. Termes lacteus Froggatt, 1898 (currently Coptotermes lacteus; Insecta, Isoptera): specific name conserved. Bull. Zool. Nomen. 51(3): 275–276].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ANIC No. 9049 ♂ alate, Shoalhaven, NSW.
  Paralectotype(s) ANIC soldier, worker (morphotypes); NMV alates, soldier, worker.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [162].
• Termes lactis Froggatt, W.W. 1897. White ants, with some account of their habits and depredations. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales 8: 297-302 [plate facing p. 297].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) whereabouts unknown, Colo Vale, NSW.
• Coptotermes sedulus Hill, G.F. 1923. New termites from central and south-east Australia. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 48: 40-48 [40].

  Type data:

   Lectotype AMNH soldier, Belgrave, VIC.
  Paralectotype(s) AMNH soldiers, workers (type colony).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [156]

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Primarily coastal and montane, N to Brisbane area, apparently a complex of species.

IBRA

ACT, NSW, Qld, Vic: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Flinders (FLI), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Queensland: NE coastal
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests primarily in mounds, also tree trunks, diet primarily weathered wood, not sound timber in service, slight economic importance.

General References

Brown, W.V., Watson, J.A.L., Carter, F.L., Lacey, M.J., Barrett, R.A. & McDaniel, C.A. 1990. Preliminary examination of cuticular hydrocarbons of worker termites as chemotaxonomic characters for some Australian species of Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 16: 305-328 [311-317, 325-326] (cuticular hydrocarbons, species complex)

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [159-161] (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [34] (distribution)

History of changes

• Coptotermes michaelseni Silvestri, F. 1909. Isoptera. 279-314 pls xvi-xxi in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [293].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ZMH ♀ alate, Mundijong (as Mundijoug), WA.
  Paralectotype(s) ZMH alates, workers.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

N to Murchison River.

IBRA

WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Carnarvon (CAR), Esperance Plains (ESP), Gascoyne (GAS), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Mallee (MAL), Murchison (MUR), Pilbara (PIL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest subterranean, diet includes sound timber in service, major economic importance.

General References

Calaby, J.H. & Gay, F.J. 1956. The distribution and biology of the genus Coptotermes (Isoptera) in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 4: 19-39 [29-35] (biology, relationships, distribution)

Postle, A. & Abbott, I. 1991. Termites of economic significance in suburban Perth, Western Australia: a preliminary study of their distribution and association with types of wood (Isoptera). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 30: 183-186 (importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [35] (distribution)

History of changes

• Coptotermes nanus Lee, T.R.C., Evans, T.A., Cameron, S.L., Ho, S.Y.W., Namyatova, A.A. & Lo, N. 2017. A review of the status of Coptotermes (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae) species in Australia with the description of two new small termite species from northern and eastern Australia. Invertebrate Systematics 31: 180-190 [184].
  Zoobank Registration Number:http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:25760F51-603F-4FFD-A7 C1-FDF1EBF531CA

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K.378558 Soldier, 5 km SE of Kununurra, WA.
  Paratype(s) AM K.378553–K.378557, K.378559, K.378560 Soldiers (7), 5 km SE of Kununurra, WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Northern Kimberley (NK), Victoria Bonaparte (VB)

History of changes

• Heterotermes Froggatt, W.W. 1897. Australian Termitidae. Part II. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 21: 510-552 pls xxxv-xxxvi [date on journal 1896, actual date of publication 31 May, 1897 Musgrave, A. 1932. Bibliography of Australian Entomology 1775–1930 with Biographical Notes on Authors and Collectors. Sydney : Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales viii 380 pp. [103]] [550] [date on journal 1896, actual date of publication 31 May, 1897; summary characterisation p. 518, full description p. 550].

  Type species:

   Heterotermes platycephalus Froggatt, 1897 by monotypy.
• Psalidotermes Silvestri, F. 1909. Isoptera. 279-314 pls xvi-xxi in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [296].

  Type species:

   Termes ferox Froggatt, 1898 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [120]
• Snyder, T.E. 1949. Catalog of the termites (Isoptera) of the world. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 112: 1-490 [66]

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Introduced to Malagasy.

IBRA

ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Victorian Midlands (VM), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

• Madagascar

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: Murray-Darling basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, S Gulfs, W plateau
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau
• Papua New Guinea

Nearctic Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Distribution References

History of changes

• Heterotermes brevicatena Watson, J.A.L. & Miller, L.R. 1989. [Taxonomic discussion]. In, Watson, J.A.L., Brown, W.V., Miller, L.R., Carter, F.L. & Lacey, M.J. Taxonomy of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in south-eastern Australia: cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, and soldier and alate morphology. Systematic Entomology 14: 299-325 [323].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC No. 9132 ♂ alate, 'Urimbirra', 35º09´S 149º18´E, NSW.
  Paratype(s) ANIC series No. 10 18923 alates, soldiers, workers (type colony).

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria

IBRA

ACT, NSW, Vic: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Victorian Midlands (VM)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest unknown, diet primarily weathered wood, slight economic importance.

General References

Watson, J.A.L. 1988. Termites in the Canberra Region. 2nd Edn. Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation viii 63 pp. [18-19] (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [36] (distribution)

Watson, J.A.L. & Miller, L.R. 1989. [Taxonomic discussion]. In, Watson, J.A.L., Brown, W.V., Miller, L.R., Carter, F.L. & Lacey, M.J. Taxonomy of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in south-eastern Australia: cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, and soldier and alate morphology. Systematic Entomology 14: 299-325 (cuticular hydrocarbons, morphology, biology, distribution)

History of changes

• Termes ferox Froggatt, W.W. 1898. Australian Termitidae. Part III. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 22: 721-758 pls xxxiv-xxxv [date on journal 1897, actual date of publication 4 June, 1898 Musgrave, A. 1932. Bibliography of Australian Entomology 1775–1930 with Biographical Notes on Authors and Collectors. Sydney : Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales viii 380 pp. [103]] [724].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ANIC No. 9045 ♀ alate, Thornleigh, near Sydney, NSW.
  Paralectotype(s) ANIC soldier, worker.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [125]; Watson, J.A.L. & Miller, L.R. 1989. [Taxonomic discussion]. In, Watson, J.A.L., Brown, W.V., Miller, L.R., Carter, F.L. & Lacey, M.J. Taxonomy of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in south-eastern Australia: cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, and soldier and alate morphology. Systematic Entomology 14: 299-325.

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Coastal and montane (H. ferox s. str.) (apparently a complex of species, with combined distribution NE coastal, SE coastal, Murray-Darling basin, Bulloo River basin, S Gulfs, Lake Eyre basin, W plateau, SW coastal, NW coastal, QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, WA); Barrow Island, WA.

IBRA

ACT, NSW, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest subterranean, diffuse, diet primarily weathered wood, slight economic importance.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [125] (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. 1988. Termites in the Canberra Region. 2nd Edn. Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation viii 63 pp. (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [36-37] (distribution)

Watson, J.A.L. & Miller, L.R. 1989. [Taxonomic discussion]. In, Watson, J.A.L., Brown, W.V., Miller, L.R., Carter, F.L. & Lacey, M.J. Taxonomy of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in south-eastern Australia: cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, and soldier and alate morphology. Systematic Entomology 14: 299-325 (cuticular hydrocarbons, morphology, biology, distribution)

History of changes

• Heterotermes intermedius Hill, G.F. 1932. Australian termites (Isoptera). Biological notes and descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 44: 134-154 [144].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ANIC No. 9047 ♀ alate, near Kalgoorlie, WA.
  Paralectotype(s) ANIC soldier, worker.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [129].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Carnarvon (CAR), Central Kimberley (CK), Coolgardie (COO), Central Ranges (CR), Dampierland (DL), Esperance Plains (ESP), Gascoyne (GAS), Gibson Desert (GD), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mallee (MAL), Murchison (MUR), Northern Kimberley (NK), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pilbara (PIL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest unknown, diet sound and weathered wood and plant detritus, slight economic importance.

General References

Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp. (biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [37] (distribution)

History of changes

• Heterotermes longicatena Watson, J.A.L. & Miller, L.R. 1989. [Taxonomic discussion]. In, Watson, J.A.L., Brown, W.V., Miller, L.R., Carter, F.L. & Lacey, M.J. Taxonomy of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in south-eastern Australia: cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, and soldier and alate morphology. Systematic Entomology 14: 299-325 [324].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC No. 9133 ♂ alate, Binya State Forest, c. 34º15´S 146º15´E, NSW.
  Paratype(s) ANIC series No. 10 20396 alates, soldiers, workers (type colony).

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Central latitudes of NSW.

IBRA

NSW: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: Murray-Darling basin

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest unknown, diet primarily weathered wood.

General References

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [38] (distribution)

Watson, J.A.L. & Miller, L.R. 1989. [Taxonomic discussion]. In, Watson, J.A.L., Brown, W.V., Miller, L.R., Carter, F.L. & Lacey, M.J. Taxonomy of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in south-eastern Australia: cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, and soldier and alate morphology. Systematic Entomology 14: 299-325 (cuticular hydrocarbons, morphology, biology, distribution)

History of changes

• Leucotermes occiduus Hill, G.F. 1927. Termites from the Australian region. Part I. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 7: 5-120 pls i-ix [50].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10845 ♀ alate, Mundaring, WA.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV ♂ alate, soldier, worker (morphotypes).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia

IBRA

NT, SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Burt Plain (BRT), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Coolgardie (COO), Central Ranges (CR), Dampierland (DL), Esperance Plains (ESP), Finke (FIN), Gascoyne (GAS), Gibson Desert (GD), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Murchison (MUR), Nullarbor (NUL), Pilbara (PIL), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin
  • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests subterranean, diffuse, diet primarily weathered wood.

General References

Perry, D.H., Watson, J.A.L., Bunn, S.E. & Black, R. 1985. Guide to the termites (Isoptera) from the extreme south-west of Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 67: 66-78 [72, 74] (biology, distribution)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [38] (distribution)

Watson, J.A.L. & Miller, L.R. 1989. [Taxonomic discussion]. In, Watson, J.A.L., Brown, W.V., Miller, L.R., Carter, F.L. & Lacey, M.J. Taxonomy of Heterotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in south-eastern Australia: cuticular hydrocarbons of workers, and soldier and alate morphology. Systematic Entomology 14: 299-325 [300, 318, 320] (cuticular hydrocarbons, morphology, biology)

History of changes

• Termes paradoxus Froggatt, W.W. 1898. Australian Termitidae. Part III. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 22: 721-758 pls xxxiv-xxxv [date on journal 1897, actual date of publication 4 June, 1898 Musgrave, A. 1932. Bibliography of Australian Entomology 1775–1930 with Biographical Notes on Authors and Collectors. Sydney : Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales viii 380 pp. [103]] [728].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ANIC No. 9046 ♀ alate, Mackay, QLD.
  Paralectotype(s) ANIC soldier, worker (type colony); NMV dealates, soldier (type colony).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [128].
• Leucotermes barretti Hill, G.F. 1927. Termites from the Australian region. Part I. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 7: 5-120 pls i-ix [58].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10846 soldier, Rockhampton, QLD.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV alate (morphotype; headless, wingless); NMV workers (type colony).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp. (Hill, G.F. 1927. Termites from the Australian region. Part I. Mem. Natl Mus. Vict. 7: 5–120 pls i–ix did not designate a primary type for this species, but referred to 'Types (imago, soldier and worker) presented to the National Museum of Victoria'. Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [10, 121] excluded L. barretti from consideration because the 'type' [10] or 'holotype' [121] did not belong in Heterotermes (=Leucotermes). We know from Hill's annotation (dated '9.8.38') on his working copy of Hill, G.F. 1927. Termites from the Australian region. Part I. Mem. Natl Mus. Vict. 7: 5–120 pls i–ix, and from a label that he inserted in the vial of types on '14.9.38', that he regarded the imago as being the primary type; but the original specimens remain syntypes. Designation of a lectotype is, therefore, appropriate, and the almost intact soldier is preferable to the broken, indeterminate alate)).

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Torres Strait Ils.

IBRA

NT, Qld, SA, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Finke (FIN), Gascoyne (GAS), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pilbara (PIL), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Tanami (TAN), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, W plateau
  • Queensland: Murray-Darling basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests subterranean, diet primarily weathered wood.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [128] (biology)

Roisin, Y. 1988. Morphology, development and evolutionary significance of the working stages in the caste system of Prorhinotermes (Insecta, Isoptera). Zoomorphology (Berlin) 107: 339-347 (biology, castes)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [39] (distribution)

History of changes

• Heterotermes platycephalus Froggatt, W.W. 1897. Australian Termitidae. Part II. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 21: 510-552 pls xxxv-xxxvi [date on journal 1896, actual date of publication 31 May, 1897 Musgrave, A. 1932. Bibliography of Australian Entomology 1775–1930 with Biographical Notes on Authors and Collectors. Sydney : Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales viii 380 pp. [103]] [551].

  Type data:

   Neotype ANIC No. 9048 ♀ alate, Kangaroo Is., SA.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [134].
• Leucotermes clarki Hill, G.F. 1922. On some Australian termites of the genera Drepanotermes, Hamitermes and Leucotermes. Bulletin of Entomological Research 12: 363-399 pls ix-xii [395] [the original type series was mixed, the alates and workers being Amitermes obeuntis (Silvestri, 1909); the \ma alate and worker now with the lectotype soldier are Heterotermes and, therefore, are not paralectotypes].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10847 soldier, Swan River, WA.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1927. Termites from the Australian region. Part I. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 7: 5-120 pls i-ix [46].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hill, G.F. 1932. Australian termites (Isoptera). Biological notes and descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 44: 134-154 [143]

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

North to c. 26ºN, Kangaroo Is.

IBRA

SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Carnarvon (CAR), Central Ranges (CR), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Mallee (MAL), Murchison (MUR), Nullarbor (NUL), Pilbara (PIL), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • South Australia: S Gulfs, W plateau
  • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests in mounds of other termites, stumps, and subterranean, diet primarily weathered wood.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [134] (biology)

Perry, D.H., Watson, J.A.L., Bunn, S.E. & Black, R. 1985. Guide to the termites (Isoptera) from the extreme south-west of Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 67: 66-78 [72, 74] (biology, distribution)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [39] (distribution)

History of changes

• Leucotermes vagus Hill, G.F. 1927. Termites from the Australian region. Part I. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 7: 5-120 pls i-ix [53].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10848 soldier, Darwin, NT.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV worker (morphotypes).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [136].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Bathurst Is., Melville Is., Rimbija Is., Groote Eylandt, Torres Strait Ils, Papua.

IBRA

NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Arnhem (CA), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Gulf Plains (GUP), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coastal
  • Queensland: N Gulf, NE coastal
  • Western Australia: N coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest unknown, diet primarily weathered wood, slight economic importance.

General References

Gay, F.J. & Calaby, J.H. 1970. Termites of the Australian Region. pp. 393-448 in Krishna, K. & Weesner, F.M. (eds). Biology of Termites. New York : Academic Press Vol. 2. [410] (biology, distribution)

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [136] (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [40] (distribution)

History of changes

• Heterotermes validus Hill, G.F. 1915. Northern Territory Termitidae. Part i. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 40: 83-113 pls xiv-xxiii [83].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10849 ?♀ alate (end of abdomen partly obscured), Darwin, NT.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV soldier, worker (morphotypes).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [130].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp. (reinstated as species)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Bathurst Is., Melville Is.

IBRA

NT, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Gascoyne (GAS), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Murchison (MUR), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N Gulf, N coastal
  • Western Australia: NW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest unknown, diet primarily weathered wood, slight economic importance.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [130] (biology, as subspecies of Heterotermes paradoxus)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [40] (distribution)

History of changes

• Leucotermes venustus Hill, G.F. 1927. Termites from the Australian region. Part I. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 7: 5-120 pls i-ix [55].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10850 ♀ alate, Stapleton, 70 miles (112 km) S Darwin, NT.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV soldier, worker (morphotypes).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [132].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp. (reinstated as species)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Groote Eylandt.

IBRA

NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Murchison (MUR), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Sturt Plateau (STU), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: NE coastal
  • Western Australia: N coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest unknown, diet primarily weathered wood, slight economic importance.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [132] (biology, as subspecies of Heterotermes paradoxus)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [41] (distribution)

History of changes

• Parrhinotermes Holmgren, N. 1911. Termitenstudien 2. Systematik der Termiten Die Familien Mastotermitidae, Protermitidae und Mesotermitidae. Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Academiens Nya Handlingar, Stockholm 46(6): 1-86 pls1-6 [78] [first characterised in key p. 77, full description p. 78].

  Type species:

   Termes aequalis Haviland, 1898 by subsequent designation, see Snyder, T.E. 1949. Catalog of the termites (Isoptera) of the world. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 112: 1-490 [88].
• Parrhinotermes Holmgren, N. 1910b. Das System der Termiten. Zoologischer Anzeiger 35: 284-286 [285] [nom. nud., introduced without description].

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Malayan.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE coastal

Oriental Region

Distribution References

History of changes

• Parrhinotermes queenslandicus Mjöberg, E. 1920. Results of Dr. E. Mjöberg's Swedish scientific expeditions to Australia 1910–1913. 19. Isoptera. Arkiv för Zoologi 12(15): 1-128 pls 1-6 [31].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ANIC No. 9052 soldier, Malanda, QLD.
  Paralectotype(s) ANIC worker.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [174].
• Parrhinotermes australicus Mjöberg, E. 1920. Results of Dr. E. Mjöberg's Swedish scientific expeditions to Australia 1910–1913. 19. Isoptera. Arkiv för Zoologi 12(15): 1-128 pls 1-6 [109] [nom. nud.; the species was characterised only by habitat (109) and, later (124), in a list showing distributions, known castes and nests].

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Paluma to Cape Bedford.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Rotting wood, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, rain forest, nest unknown, diet primarily rotted wood.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [174] (biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [42] (distribution)

History of changes

• Prorhinotermes Silvestri, F. 1909. Isoptera. 279-314 pls xvi-xxi in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [286].

  Type species:

   Prorhinotermes inopinatus Silvestri, 1909 by monotypy.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Snyder, T.E. 1949. Catalog of the termites (Isoptera) of the world. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 112: 1-490 [85]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Malayan, W Pacific Ils.

IBRA

NT, Qld: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Arnhem (CA), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Gulf Plains (GUP), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), NSW North Coast (NNC), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

• Madagascar

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coastal
  • Queensland: N Gulf, NE coastal

Nearctic Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Distribution References

History of changes

• Prorhinotermes inopinatus Silvestri, F. 1909. Isoptera. 279-314 pls xvi-xxi in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [287].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ZMB soldier, 'Insulae Samoa, Ninafoon' (probably Niuafo'ou, Tonga).
  Paralectotype(s) ZMB dealates, neotenics / nymphs, workers.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [138]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Yorke Ils Torres Strait, Papua, SW Pacific Ils.

IBRA

NT, Qld: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Arnhem (CA), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Gulf Plains (GUP), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), NSW North Coast (NNC), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coastal
  • Queensland: N Gulf, NE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests in logs and stumps, diet primarily rotted wood, slight economic importance.

General References

Gay, F.J. & Barrett, R.A. 1983. The occurrence in Australia of Prorhinotermes inopinatus Silvestri (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 22: 75-77 [75] (biology, distribution)

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [139] (biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [43] (Australian distribution)

History of changes

• Schedorhinotermes Silvestri, F. 1909. Isoptera. 279-314 pls xvi-xxi in Michaelsen, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (eds). Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Jena : G. Fischer Vol. 2. [289].

  Type species:

   Rhinotermes intermedius Brauer, 1865 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Snyder, T.E. 1949. Catalog of the termites (Isoptera) of the world. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 112: 1-490 [89]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Papuan and Indo-Malayan Regions.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Victorian Midlands (VM), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, S Gulfs, W plateau
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau
• Papua New Guinea

Oriental Region

Distribution References

History of changes

• Rhinotermes intermedius actuosus Hill, G.F. 1933. Australian Rhinotermes (Isoptera). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 45: 2-17 pls I-IV [7].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10851 major soldier, Darwin, NT.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV ♀ alate, worker (morphotypes, type colony; Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [188] mentioned a morphotype minor soldier, but this is missing from vial containing the lectotype and other morphotypes); NMV alates, major soldiers, minor soldiers, workers (type colony); ANIC series No. 10 17682 alates, major soldier, minor soldier, worker (type colony).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [185].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp. (raised to species)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Bathurst Is., Melville Is., Rimbija Is., Groote Eylandt, Torres Strait Ils.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, SA, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, W plateau
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests diffuse, recorded from Drepanotermes nest, fence post and log, diet primarily wood, also dry grass, minor economic importance.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [185] (biology, importance)

Miller, L.R. 1994. Nests and queen migration in Schedorhinotermes actuosus (Hill), Schedorhinotermes breinli (Hill) and Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 33: 317-318 (nest, biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [44] (distribution)

History of changes

• Rhinotermes breinli Hill, G.F. 1921. New and rare Australian termites, with notes on their biology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 46: 433-456 pl. xxxvi [449].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10852 major soldier, Rollingstone, QLD.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV ♀ alate, minor soldier, worker (morphotypes).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [188].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

IBRA

NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Sturt Plateau (STU), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, NE coastal
  • Western Australia: N coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests diffuse, apparently subterranean or in nests of other termites, diet wood including timber in service, major economic importance in some areas.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [188] (biology, importance)

Miller, L.R. 1981. The nest of the termite Schedorhinotermes breinli (Hill) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), and a description of the primary queen. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 20: 130 [130] (nest, queen)

Miller, L.R. 1994. Dimorphic minor soldiers in Schedorhinotermes breinli (Hill) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 33: 319-320

Miller, L.R. 1994. Nests and queen migration in Schedorhinotermes actuosus (Hill), Schedorhinotermes breinli (Hill) and Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 33: 317-318 (nest, biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [44] (distribution)

History of changes

• Rhinotermes intermedius derosus Hill, G.F. 1933. Australian Rhinotermes (Isoptera). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 45: 2-17 pls I-IV [8].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10853 major soldier, Derby, WA.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV ♂ alate (lacking wings), minor soldier, worker (morphotypes, type colony); ANIC series No. 10 17683 major soldier (type colony).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [189].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp. (raised to species)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

IBRA

NT, Qld, WA: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Burt Plain (BRT), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Coolgardie (COO), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Finke (FIN), Gascoyne (GAS), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Murchison (MUR), Northern Kimberley (NK), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Sturt Plateau (STU), Tanami (TAN), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin, N Gulf, N coastal, W plateau
  • Queensland: N Gulf
  • Western Australia: N coastal, NW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest unknown, apparently subterranean, diet primarily dry grass, also dry wood.

General References

Miller, L.R. 1981. The nest of the termite Schedorhinotermes breinli (Hill) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), and a description of the primary queen. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 20: 130 (biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [45] (distribution)

History of changes

• Rhinotermes intermedius Brauer, F. 1865. Fünfter Bericht über die auf der Weltfahrt der kais. Fregatte Novara gesammelten Neuropteren. Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 15: 975-978 [see, Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. (218)] [977].

  Type data:

   Holotype NHMW ♂ alate (labelled 'HOLOTYPE designated A.Emer(son).'), Sydney (as Sidney), NSW.

  Type locality references:

  Hill, G.F. 1933. Australian Rhinotermes (Isoptera). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 45: 2-17 pls I-IV [5].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

IBRA

NSW, Qld: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: Murray-Darling basin, SE coastal
  • Queensland: Murray-Darling basin, NE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests subterranean or in stumps, diet primarily decayed wood but also timber in service, major economic importance in some areas.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [182] (biology, importance)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [45] (distribution)

History of changes

• Rhinotermes reticulatus Froggatt, W.W. 1897. Australian Termitidae. Part II. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 21: 510-552 pls xxxv-xxxvi [date on journal 1896, actual date of publication 31 May, 1897 Musgrave, A. 1932. Bibliography of Australian Entomology 1775–1930 with Biographical Notes on Authors and Collectors. Sydney : Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales viii 380 pp. [103]] [540].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ANIC No. 9165 ♀ alate, Kalgoorlie, WA.
  Paralectotype(s) ANIC minor soldier, worker; NMV alates, nymph, minor soldier, workers.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

S half of continent.

IBRA

NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Dampierland (DL), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Victorian Midlands (VM), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: Bulloo River basin, Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin
  • Queensland: Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, Murray-Darling basin, S Gulfs, W plateau
  • Victoria: Murray-Darling basin
  • Western Australia: NW coastal, SW coastal, W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nest unknown, apparently subterranean, diet primarily weathered wood including sawn timber.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [196] (biology)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [46] (distribution)

History of changes

• Rhinotermes intermedius seclusus Hill, G.F. 1933. Australian Rhinotermes (Isoptera). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ns 45: 2-17 pls I-IV [5].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NMV No. T-10854 major soldier, Babinda, QLD.
  Paralectotype(s) NMV ♂ alate, minor soldier, worker (morphotypes).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [191].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Watson, J.A.L., Miller, L.R. & Abbey, H.M. 1998. Isoptera. pp. 163-250 in Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Blattodea, Isoptera, Mantodea, Dermaptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Zoraptera. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 23 xiii 464 pp. (raised to species)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia

IBRA

NSW, Qld, WA: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Gibson Desert (GD), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Murchison (MUR), NSW North Coast (NNC), Nullarbor (NUL), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tanami (TAN), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: SE coastal
  • Queensland: N Gulf, NE coastal
  • Western Australia: W plateau

Ecological Descriptors

Soil dweller, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Social, nests compact, subterranean or in stumps, diet primarily weathered or rotted wood including sawn timber, slight economic importance.

General References

Hill, G.F. 1942. Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. Melbourne : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 479 pp. 24 pls. [191] (biology, importance)

Miller, L.R. 1987. Trimorphic soldiers in Schedorhinotermes seclusus (Hill) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and notes on biology. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 26: 235-236 (biology, nest, castes)

Watson, J.A.L. & Abbey, H.M. 1993. Atlas of Australian Termites. Melbourne & Canberra : Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 158 pp. [46] (distribution)

History of changes