Termitidae is the largest family of termites consisting of 2,105 described species of which are commonly known as the higher termites.[1] They are evolutionarily the most specialised termite group, with their highly compartmentalized hindgut lacking the flagellated protozoans common to "lower termites", which are instead replaced by bacteria. Whereas lower termites are restricted mostly to woody tissue, higher termites have diverse diets consisting of wood, grass, leaf litter, fungi, lichen, faeces, humus and soil.[2][3] Around 60% of species rely on soil-feeding alone.[4]
The family contains the following subfamilies:[5]
Imago forewing and hindwing scales either evenly or closely sized and not overlapping. Wing scale suture and veins are strongly sclerotized, veins reduced. Post-clypeus of workers and imagoes both swollen and protruding from head capsule. Pronotum is saddled with depressed anterior corners. Ocelli of imago typically (but not always) protruding above head capsule.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Termitidae is the largest family of termites consisting of 2,105 described species of which are commonly known as the higher termites. They are evolutionarily the most specialised termite group, with their highly compartmentalized hindgut lacking the flagellated protozoans common to "lower termites", which are instead replaced by bacteria. Whereas lower termites are restricted mostly to woody tissue, higher termites have diverse diets consisting of wood, grass, leaf litter, fungi, lichen, faeces, humus and soil. Around 60% of species rely on soil-feeding alone.
