Globitermes sulphureus

Globitermes sulphureus
A Globitermes sulphureus nest under attack by Oecophylla smaragdina weaver ants.
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Infraorder: Isoptera
Family: Termitidae
Genus: Globitermes
Species:
G. sulphureus
Binomial name
Globitermes sulphureus
(Haviland, 1898)
Synonyms
  • Termes sulphureus Haviland, 1898

Globitermes sulphureus is a species of termite that is very common in central and southern Vietnam and also present in other areas of South East Asia, including Cambodia, Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia. They live in nests made of earth that can be up to 1.5 m tall and can contain tens of thousands of individuals. Between five and 10 per cent of the population are soldier termites which can be recognised by their yellow abdomen and two large, curved mandibles. The termites use autothysis as a defense mechanism.