ItalianTermiteMan
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2023
- Messages
- 146
Here's a few decent pics of a pair of alcohol-preserved soldiers of Hodotermopsis sjostedti, a very large dampwood termite from Asia formerly included in the Archotermopsidae family, but now the sole member of the newly erected Hodotermopsidae. These soldiers employ their large and powerful toothed mandibles to fight off foes ranging from intruding ants to other competing colonies of their own species.
Dorsal wiew
Ventral wiew. The large tarsal claws grant an excellent grip on wood they inhabit.
The impressive mandibles of these soldiers. Note the strong and asymmetrical dentition; at the side of its head you can also see the eyes, present in all castes in this species.
Dorsal wiew
Ventral wiew. The large tarsal claws grant an excellent grip on wood they inhabit.
The impressive mandibles of these soldiers. Note the strong and asymmetrical dentition; at the side of its head you can also see the eyes, present in all castes in this species.
