BlattodeaTermitidae – Higher Termites

Long-jawed Desert Termites

Gnathamitermes perplexus

This record describes Gnathamitermes perplexus (species). Recorded family: Termitidae. Recorded order: Blattodea.

Identification and Appearance

Long-jawed Desert Termites - Gnathamitermes perplexus — Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by v belov

Identification notes

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Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)
Superfamily: Blattoidea
Family: Termitidae (Higher Termites)
Subfamily: Amitermitinae
Genus: Gnathamitermes (Long-jawed Desert Termites)

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

sw. US & Mexico

About Cockroaches and Termites: the wider group

Order-level background for Blattodea, the group containing Gnathamitermes perplexus. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Blattodea includes ~4,600 cockroach species and ~3,000 termite species. Only about 30 cockroach species are associated with human habitats - less than 1% of all species.

Ecological role of the group

Termites contribute ~40% of soil arthropod biomass globally, far exceeding ants at ~10%. Cockroaches are ancient insects dating back 320 million years and are critical decomposers in tropical forest ecosystems, recycling leaf litter and dead wood.

Economic and practical significance of the group

Termites cause $5-30 billion in damage to structures in the U.S. annually. They damage approximately 600,000 American homes each year, with average repair costs of $3,000-$17,000. A subterranean termite colony can consume one pound of wood per day.

Recorded sources for this group: USDA, Orkin, Today's Homeowner, PNAS soil biomass study. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

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