Coptotermes gestroi ( Wasmann, 1896 )

Takematsu, Yoko & Vongkaluang, Charunee, 2012, A taxonomic review of the Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) of Thailand, Journal of Natural History 46 (17 - 18), pp. 1079-1109 : 1086-1087

Coptotermes gestroi ( Wasmann, 1896)

( Figures 4A–E , 13B )

Termes gestroi Wasmann, 1896: 628 .

Coptotermes gestroi, Holmgren, 1911: 73 , pl.5, fig.9.

Coptotermes javanicus Kemner, 1934: 59 . Synonymized by Snyder, 1949: 79.

Coptotermes havilandi Holmgren, 1911: 192 . Synonymized by Kirton and Brown, 2003, 47.

Coptotermes travians (Haviland) sensu Roonwal and Chhotani, 1962 : Kirton and Brown, 2003, 47.

Coptotermes travians (Haviland) sensu Roonwal and Maiti, 1966 : Kirton and Brown, 2003, 47.

Coptotermes travians (Haviland) sensu Roonwal and Chhotani, 1989 : Kirton and Brown, 2003, 47.

Coptotermes travians (Haviland) sensu Tho, 1992 : Kirton and Brown, 2003, 47.

Material examined

THAILAND: Chiang Mai: Fang , 14 June 1965, K. Morimoto coll. [NHML]; Mae Klang Waterfall, Ban Luang , 11 June 1965, K. Morimoto coll. (identified as havilandi by K. Morimoto) [NHML]; Tak: Mae Sod , 17 April 1962, M. Ahmad coll. [NHML]; Lampang: Jae Sorn National Park , 600 m alt., 27 June 2000, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Sakhon Nakhorn: Phu Phan National Park , 360 m alt., 24 August 2003, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Nakhorn Ratchasima: Nakhorn Ratchasima , 23 January 1998, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Bangkok: Bangkok , 24 February 1999, C. Klanckew coll. ; Kanchanaburi: Khaoen Srinakarin Dam National Park , 28 March 1998, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Surat Thani: Koh Saam Sao, Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park , 20 March 2003, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Khao Pla Teao Wildlife Conservation , 3 November 2002, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Khao Sok National Park , 300 m alt., 4 November 2002, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Phuket: Bang Kanoon , Phuket Is., 13 June 1997, Y. Sornnuwat coll. ; Ban Kanoon , Phuket Is., 3 November 2002, Y. Takematsu coll. ; Trang: Ka Chong , 6 March 1962, M. Ahmad coll. (identified as havilandi by M. Ahmad) [NHML]; Narathiwat: Hara Bara Wildlife Sanctuary , 22 January 1999, Y. Sornnuwat coll. ; Phu To Daeng , 31 May 1997, Y. Takematsu coll.

Diagnosis

Soldier. Head sparsely hairy; pronotum scantily hairy or bald on the dorsal surface; postmentum with several long hairs. Head elongately oval, narrowed anteriorly, bHW / mHW 0.58–0.65 (0.61); mandibles moderately incurved, LML / HL 0.58–0.64 (0.61). Antennae with 14–15 segments. Narrowest part of postmentum located about half way between the widest point and the posterior margin

Measurements (mm)

Twenty-five soldiers from 10 series: HL, 1.28–1.45 (1.37); mHW, 1.05–1.19 (1.13); LML, 0.82–0.86 (0.85); PL, 0.40–0.44 (0.42); PW, 0.78–0.85 (0.82); PosL, 0.90–1.00 (0.96); PosW, 0.37–0.42 (0.40).

Distribution

Thailand, Burma, China, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, India (excludes areas where it has been introduced by humans).

Remarks

This species is widely distributed throughout Thailand ( Figure 13B ) and is a serious pest of construction timber. It shows a wide variation of size and was often confused with C. havilandi , which was also a pest species in Southeast Asia. However, Kirton and Brown (2003) reviewed the taxonomy of pest species in Southeast Asia and synonymized C. havilandi as a junior synonym of C. gestroi . Coptotermes gestroi can easily be distinguished from other species in Thailand by having oval head, less narrowed anteriorly.

Figures

Figure 4. Soldier of Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). (A) Head, dorsal view; (B) head, lateral view; (C) pronotum; (D) postmentum; (E) mandibles. Scale bar 0.5 mm.

Figure 13. Distribution of Coptotermes and Reticulitermes in Thailand. (A) Coptotermes curvignathus; (B) Coptotermes gestroi; (C) Coptotermes kalshoveni; (D) Coptotermes premrasmii; (E) Reticulitermes assamensis. (Record of C. premrasmii is from original description.)