Australia has around 300 species of termites but only around 20 are of any economic significance. Different areas experience problems with different species and behaviour can vary with geography. The identification, study and management of termites are a complex integration of skills, experience and local knowledge. The images and information shown here may be used as an approximate guide only. If you think you have termites on your property it is essential you seek expert help. If you would like to know more about these and other Australian termites we suggest reading some of the following publications.

Australian termites and other common timber pests by Phillip Hadlington,
ISBN 0-86840-399-7

Pests of timber in Queensland by Peters, Wylie & King, ISBN 0-7242-7183-X

Wood -destroying Insects by J.W. Creffield, ISBN 0-643-05151-1

Differences between ants and termites

Ant

Antennae elbowed
Compound eyes
Constriction between
Thorax and abdomen

Soldier Termite

Antennae bead like
No eyes
No constriction between 
thorax and abdomen

Mastotermes darwiniensis

• Subterranean type
• Occurring north of Tropic of Capricorn
• Length 12.25 + 0.75mm
• Primary colony with budding-off habit results in major damage within short periods
• Workings can appear massive in their excavation of timber with large amounts of earthen material covering activity

                                                              
Mastotermes darwiniensis

Coptotermes sp.

• Subterranean occurring Australia wide
• Identification of soldier caste can be assisted by size, nesting habits and region of species occurence
• All species of this genus have mandibles present and produce a milky latex material called "exudate" from a pore on the head called a "fontanelle"
• Workings can be hard mud packing, often lighter colour than surrounding soil
• Some species will form sub nests within buildings but primary Queen and colony are not mobile
• Colonies of this genus are large
• The genus contains the most widespread and thereby destructive species

Coptotermes acinaciformis

Schedorhinotermes sp.

• Occurring Australia wide
• This genus has minor and major soldiers (major appears once nest is well established)
• The two soldier castes with characteristic differences

Schedorhinotermes sp.

Nasutitermes sp.

• Occurring Australia wide
• Mound / arboreal type nests
• Each species has its own region of occurrence
• All species in this genus have "nasute" soldiers (head drawn to a point - with fused mandibles)
• Most destructive species of sound timber in service is Nasutitermes exitiosus
• Majority of this genus preferring hardwoods
• Sub-colonies in buildings often formed from supplementary Queens
• Identification from soldier caste with assistance from worker, nest habit and region of occurrence

Nasutitermes sp.

Microcerotermes sp.

• Occurring Australia wide
• Each species with its own region of occurrence
• Mound / arboreal type nests
• All species in this genus have soldiers with serrations present on the inner margins of the mandibles
• Soldier castes are not numerous in workings with workers having an elongated abdomen
• Identification can be from soldier caste and worker
• Colonies are readily exposed, often causing damage to deteriorated timber in contact with the ground
• Mounds and arboreal nests appear the same colour as surrounding soil

Microcerotermes sp.

Heterotermes sp.

• Occurring throughout Australia south of the Tropic of Capricorn
• Several species

Most often encounted is

Heterotermes ferox

• Identified from soldier caste having mandibles present without serrations
• Length 4.75 + 2.00mm
• Species of this genus do not build mounds but form small colonies adjacent to other termite species alongside stumps, logs and rotting wood

Dampwood Termites

Porotermes adamsoni

• Requires damp or decayed wood to start colony and infest
• an infest sound building timbers through damp timber in ground contact
• Small colonies in trees, logs and decaying stumps

Neotermes insularis

• Commonly called "ring-ant" after the concentric rings of damage in trees
• Serious damage to trees mainly Eucalypts
• Small colonies in branches and trunks of trees, often-in softer growth rings

Drywood Termites

Cryptotermes sp

• Various species occur throughout Australia with tropical areas having more species, mainly the coastal regions
• Identification is by soldier caste and alates
• Soldiers have mandibles present with a phragmotic head (head slopes deeply and is almost vertical with mandibles with gnarled characteristics)
• Length 2.45 - 8.00mm
• Characteristic dry faecal pellets found in workings with excavations smooth and without wet faecal stains