Cryptotermes BANKS

Engel, Michael S. & Krishna, K., 2007, Drywood termites in Dominican amber (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 57 (2), pp. 263-275 : 269

Genus Cryptotermes BANKS

The genus Cryptotermes is a principally pantropical lineage of drywood termites, with a few species extending into warm temperate regions excluding the Palearctic. Like other kalotermitids, the genus breeds in dry portions of dead timber, making it an ideal candidate for dispersal by humans. Indeed, several Cryptotermes species , such as C .. dudleyi BANKS and C .. brevis (WALKER)), have been widely introduced and are notable pests.

Three fossils have been recorded in the genus Cryptotermes . The first was C .. batheribatheri (ROSEN), listed as occurring in Pleistocene copal from East Africa ( ROSEN, 1913) but unfortunately never formally described and, as such, the species name is a nomen nudum. This name was subsequently transferred to MastotermesMastotermes and for a fossil from the Oligocene deposits of Rott, Germany ( STATZ, 1939). Clearly, the status of this taxon is in need of clarification. Cryptotermes ryshkoffi PIERCE was described from an imago preserved in Miocene nodules from the Calico Mountains of southern California ( PIERCE, 1958). The last species, Cryptotermes yamini , was described from a single imago in Dominican amber ( Fig. 7 ; KRISHNAKRISHNA & BACCHUS, 1987). Since the late 1980s numerous individuals of Cryptotermes in Dominican amber have been acquired and while many of these are additional specimens of C .. yamini , a second, quite similar species has also been discovered among them ( Fig. 2 ).

Figures

Figs 6-7: Photomicrographs of holotype imagoes for Dominican amber Cryptotermes. – 6 Detail of forewing venation of Cryptotermes glaesariusglaesarius sp. n. (AMNH, no acc. no.). – 7 C .. yamini KRISHNAKRISHNA & BACCHUS.

Figs 1-3: Photomicrographs of genera of Dominican amber Kalotermitidae (Isoptera). – 1 Holotype imago of Incisitermes peritusperitus sp. n. (DR-8-340). – 2 Holotype imago of Cryptotermes glaesariusglaesarius sp. n. (AMNH, no acc. no.). – 3 Holotype imago of Glyptotermes paleoliberatuspaleoliberatus sp. n. (DR-14-647).