The inquiline termite, Inquilinitermes jhonchapmani

[ItalianTermiteMan]

Got long jaws?

Here we have a macro of the head of an alcohol-preserved soldier of Inquilinitermes jhonchapmani, a nice and non-pest termite from south America. These soldiers defend their colonies by employing the symmetrical snapping technique, where their huge baton-shaped mandibles are pressend against each other to deform and store vast amounts of energy before violently crossing to deliver a powerful, high-speed blow once a critical point has been reached.

Another interesting feature fact about this species (and its whole genus, they're not named "Inquilinitermes" for nothing) is its obligatory inquilinism, as their colonies are found exclusively nesting whitin the large mounds of other termites of the genus Constrictotermes and cannot exist indipendently of their host. Still, this is not a peaceful cohabitation and the two genera never come in direct contact under normal conditions, for in that case the Constrictotermes would respond aggressively towards the sneaky, unwanted guests!

Pic by Dr. Rudolf Scheffrahn; specimen from the UF Termite Collection (FL) - shared here with permission.

 

[coolnweird]

This is fascinating, thank you so much for sharing! I'd never heard the word "inquilinism" before, how wonderful language is. Do we know why they can only exist within other species' nests? I'd love to know more if you have any recommended reading.

 

[The Snark]

We have a couple of similar species here in Thailand. When the rains first hit and termites start swarming, people go out, find the exit holes with headlamps, and collect the termites that are considered a delicacy. But making an appearance with the others are these soldiers. Even the most hardened hill tribe hunter-gatherers are extremely wary and often have someone beside them watching for these monsters and knocking them away before they close those vice grip chompers on your bod.

BTW, I don't understand the pseudo symbiosis they have with other species. Just tolerated non contributors? Incidental guardians? Other?

 

[ItalianTermiteMan]

This is fascinating, thank you so much for sharing! I'd never heard the word "inquilinism" before, how wonderful language is. Do we know why they can only exist within other species' nests? I'd love to know more if you have any recommended reading.

First of all, it should be noted that there are two types of inquilines in termites: obligatory inquilines like these Inquilinitermes, which can live exclusively inside the mounds/nest structure of another termite, and facoltative inquilines that can (and usually prefer) nest in someone else's mound but are still capable of nesting by themselves. Regarding why the obligatory inquilines cannot survive independently of their host's nest, it might be both because they fully specialized in a diet that can be obtained only in the host termitary itself (ex. the mound itself, the host's feces, ecc...) and also lost the ability to build nests by themselves.

By Googling "Inquilinitermes microceros" (by far the most well-studied species), you'll find interesting texts on the matter.

We have a couple of similar species here in Thailand. When the rains first hit and termites start swarming, people go out, find the exit holes with headlamps, and collect the termites that are considered a delicacy. But making an appearance with the others are these soldiers. Even the most hardened hill tribe hunter-gatherers are extremely wary and often have someone beside them watching for these monsters and knocking them away before they close those vice grip chompers on your bod.

BTW, I don't understand the pseudo symbiosis they have with other species. Just tolerated non contributors? Incidental guardians? Other?

In Thailand there is a genus that is morphologically similar to Inquilinitermes, Termes, however by reading of "vice grip chompers" that alate collectors must be wary of i doubt you're referring to them here, but rather to the genus Macrotermes instead. Macrotermes don't employ the asymmetrical snapping technique, instead relying on large and strong soldiers equipped with sharp slashing-type mandibles capable of easily cutting human skin and draw blood (i also speak for experieance!).

Regarding the relationship between Inquilitermes and Constrictotermes, they live separated from one another and should they meet the latters are aggressive to the formers. The Inquilinitermes are non-tolerated non-contributors so to speak, but they are very apt at evanding the Constrictotermes while keeping living in their home!

 

[The Snark]

Macrotermes don't employ the asymmetrical snapping technique, instead relying on large and strong soldiers equipped with sharp slashing-type mandibles capable of easily cutting human skin and draw blood

And sometimes or often require someone with sharp eyes and long fingernails to remove them while minimizing further damage once they latch on. Just yanking them off can turn two puncture wounds into a laceration.

@ItalianTermiteMan What do you know about the cement termites secrete? I've got a funny one here. Cheap cement blocks with holes in them to pour in more cement or mortar to bind them together, The termites made nests in those holes. Being garbage mortar it failed the test of time and decomposed. But the termite cemented sand in the holes remains, much more resilient to weathering. Weird stuff. Has there been a chemical analysis of it? Seems to act almost polymer like. Probably is.

 

[SpookySpooder]

Do you have any termite documentary recommendations?

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

First of all, it should be noted that there are two types of inquilines in termites: obligatory inquilines like these Inquilinitermes, which can live exclusively inside the mounds/nest structure of another termite, and facoltative inquilines that can (and usually prefer) nest in someone else's mound but are still capable of nesting by themselves. Regarding why the obligatory inquilines cannot survive independently of their host's nest, it might be both because they fully specialized in a diet that can be obtained only in the host termitary itself (ex. the mound itself, the host's feces, ecc...) and also lost the ability to build nests by themselves.

By Googling "Inquilinitermes microceros" (by far the most well-studied species), you'll find interesting texts on the matter.

Wow so complex this stuff is impressive keep it coming !!!
Those jaws look impressive too .

 

[ItalianTermiteMan]

Do you have any termite documentary recommendations?

There is little about them, but " Termites - The Inner Sanctum" is a quite nice one you can find full on Youtube, just keep in mind that some of the informations provided are wrong or outdated (a rather common occurence in non-scientific termite material).

And sometimes or often require someone with sharp eyes and long fingernails to remove them while minimizing further damage once they latch on. Just yanking them off can turn two puncture wounds into a laceration.

@ItalianTermiteMan What do you know about the cement termites secrete? I've got a funny one here. Cheap cement blocks with holes in them to pour in more cement or mortar to bind them together, The termites made nests in those holes. Being garbage mortar it failed the test of time and decomposed. But the termite cemented sand in the holes remains, much more resilient to weathering. Weird stuff. Has there been a chemical analysis of it? Seems to act almost polymer like. Probably is.

Nice report! The building cement of Macrotermes is indeed very hardy, though it's not wholly secreted by them: it's a mixture of soil, fluids produced in the labial glands and feces.

 

[SpookySpooder]

It's fine, I just wanted some nice visuals to watch. Thank you for the recommendation.

I keep Ant colonies, but I've always been interesting in termites. Had zero success finding any viable queens after the mating seasons here.

 

[The Snark]

Nice report! The building cement of Macrotermes is indeed very hardy, though it's not wholly secreted by them: it's a mixture of soil, fluids produced in the labial glands and feces.

Thanks for the info! I get the gut feeling, maybe chasing ghosts here, that macrotermes are highly developed in their construction operations. The 'magnetic' termite mounds common in Australia demonstrates an evolved premeditation so to speak. Like concrete, they are selective of the composition of the constructions, choosing the most appropriate aggregates in the vicinity, possibly coupled to varying formulations of the glandular secretions depending on the application.
As example, the concrete used around a swimming pool is formulated to withstand repeated soakings of water containing harsh chemicals that is highly resistant to staining but useless crap for structural integrity in foundations and support members in high rise buildings.

 

[ItalianTermiteMan]

It's fine, I just wanted some nice visuals to watch. Thank you for the recommendation.

I keep Ant colonies, but I've always been interesting in termites. Had zero success finding any viable queens after the mating seasons here.

Nice, i keep ants too, but manly to "make up" for how difficult it is to get exotic termites. I do keep sveral termite species aswell (both European and exotic) though, so i may be of help in their care if you'd ever need it.

 

[SpookySpooder]

Nice, i keep ants too, but manly to "make up" for how difficult it is to get exotic termites. I do keep sveral termite species aswell (both European and exotic) though, so i may be of help in their care if you'd ever need it.

Appreciate the offer. I'll reach out if I ever manage to find any queens.

I'm on Formiculture (the forum) and we often go hunting for queens after the rains. I myself have found some termite alates after mating (they chew off their wings) but none of them were viable in producing their first workers. I assume because I did not provide the correct environment.

 

[The Snark]

Hey wait a minute! We keep ants and you're welcome to them. Probably 15-20 different species. How many kilos do you want? You pay shipping.

 

[ItalianTermiteMan]

Appreciate the offer. I'll reach out if I ever manage to find any queens.

I'm on Formiculture (the forum) and we often go hunting for queens after the rains. I myself have found some termite alates after mating (they chew off their wings) but none of them were viable in producing their first workers. I assume because I did not provide the correct environment.

That's not surprising: termites don't mate during the swarming event like ants, but only after a pair sealed itself in the claustral chamber! You'll need to isolate in a correct environement a queen and a king to obtain a colony, a lone dealate will never be viable (with the exception of the very few species that can reproduce asexually). I'm on Formiculture too by the way.

 

[SpookySpooder]

Hey wait a minute! We keep ants and you're welcome to them. Probably 15-20 different species. How many kilos do you want? You pay shipping.

Queens only pls, so if you dig up the inner chamber LMK!

That's not surprising: termites don't mate during the swarming event like ants, but only after a pair sealed itself in the claustral chamber! You'll need to isolate in a correct environement a queen and a king to obtain a colony, a lone dealate will never be viable (with the exception of the very few species that can reproduce asexually). I'm on Formiculture too by the way.

That would explain a lot.
Same name there? I'll look you up.

 

[ItalianTermiteMan]

Queens only pls, so if you dig up the inner chamber LMK!


That would explain a lot.
Same name there? I'll look you up.

Yep, same name but with a "2.0" at the end.