Family Kalotermitidae
This family has both drywood and dampwood species. The soldiers have 4 tarsal segments, and 2 segmented cerci. They do not have a fontanelle (opening of the frontal gland that looks like a hole on their “forehead” used to squirt a white sticky substance as a defense mechanism). They have pronotums that are as wide as their heads.
Genus: Glyptotermes
Common dampwood species encountered are:
Scientific name: Glyptotermes tuberculatus , Glyptotermes brevicornis
Distribution
Occurs along the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Identification
Soldiers are 4.5–9.0 mm in length. They have unpigmented eyes and short mandibles. They have elongated heads with two lobes on the frontal area.
Glyptotermes tuberculatus
Glyptotermes brevicornis
Habitat and Behaviour
Species of this genus used to be major pests of transmission poles before pre-treated poles were used. This species makes small colonies in dead wood in the ground and mainly attacks native tree species. Some species extend their attacks from sapwood to sound wood.