Drepanotermes is a genus of harvester termites in the subfamily Amitermitinae. It was first described by F. Silvestri in 1909, based on specimens collected during the Hamburg Southwest Australian Expedition.Silvestri, F. (1909b). Isoptera. In W. Michaelsen & R. Hartmeyer (Eds.), Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Ergebnisse der Hamburger südwest-australischen Forschungsreise 1905 (Vol. 2, Part 17, pp. 279–314). Jena: Gustav Fischer.
Species of Drepanotermes are endemic to arid regions of Australia.
Phylogeny Historically, Drepanotermes was placed within the subfamily Termitinae. Recent genomic studies have reassigned the genus to the subfamily Amitermitinae based on molecular evidence.
Ecology Drepanotermes species construct mounds or subterranean nests that are connected to the surface by covered soil trails used for foraging. Colonies collect dry plant material, primarily grasses and leaves, which is transported along these trails and stored in underground chambers for later consumption.Hill, G. F. (1922). On some Australian termites of the genera Drepanotermes, Hamitermes and Leucotermes. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 46, 363–402. Foraging activity often creates characteristic bare zones in the surrounding vegetation.Watson, J. A. L., & McMahan, E. A. (1978). Polyethism in the Australian harvester termite Drepanotermes (Isoptera, Termitinae). Insectes Sociaux, 25(1), 53–62. Depending on the species, nests may be entirely subterranean or include small, surface soil mounds.
References
External links TermiteWeb: Drepanotermes CSIRO: Australian Insect Common Names – Drepanotermes