Desert Subterranean Termite
Heterotermes aureus
This record describes Heterotermes aureus (species). Recorded family: Heterotermitidae. Recorded order: Blattodea.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Heterotermes aureus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterotermes_aureus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)
- Superfamily
- Blattoidea
- Family
- Heterotermitidae (Subterranean Termites)
- Genus
- Heterotermes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Heterotermes aureus Snyder, 1920
About Cockroaches and Termites: the wider group
Order-level background for Blattodea, the group containing Heterotermes aureus. 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.
Photos of Desert Subterranean Termite (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Zhao J