Glyptotermes chiraharitae n. sp.

(Figs 1, 2)

TYPE MATERIAL. — India. Kerala. Kozhikode. Kakkayam MWLS 762 m, 11.4990° N, 75.8950° E, 27.XII.2012, Amina Poovoli. Colony code: ZSI/ WGRC /IR/INV/4942. Holotype (Soldier); paratypes 6 pseudoworkers and 3 soldiers. — Colony code: ZSI/ WGRC /IR/INV/4943. Paratypes: 4 imagoes, 2 soldiers and 5 pseudoworkers .

ETYMOLOGY. — The species is named Chiraharita meaning evergreen (in Sanskrit), after their evergreen forest habitat.

BIOECOLOGY. — (Fig. 3) The large sized dead log on the forest floor, from which G. chiraharitae n. sp. was collected had a very high moisture content. Though the attack was not at all visible externally, the log when cut open, exposed several large holes sealed with their faecal pellets, dissolved in a muddy paste. Networks of hidden galleries meandering through the wood were also observed. Workers and soldiers were very slow and sluggish, probably due to their large size.