CRYPTOTERMES IN MANGROVES IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (ISOPTERA: KALOTERMITIDAE)

Abstract

Three species of Kalotermitidae, Neotermes insularis (Walker), Cryptotermes domesticus (Haviland) and C. secundus (Hill), were found attacking mangroves in the Darwin region. C. domesticus has been found only in mangroves in the Northern Territory but in north Queensland it can be a destructive pest of timber in service. It is speculated that there may be 2 strains of C. domesticus in Australia; a possibly indigenous form in the mangroves near Darwin and an introduced strain infesting buildings in north Queensland. Copyright © 1983, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved