Mastotermitidae

Isoptera • other insect groups • insects (plant pests) • pests-diseases-weeds

Mastotermes darwiniensis (click on image to enlarge it)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Mastotermitidae

This is a small family of termites with a single living species, Mastotermes darwiniensis, which attacks crops and wood products in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. The family is mainly represented by extinct species and has a number of unique morphological characters compared to the other termites like five tarsal segments, no anal lobe on the hindwings, or a cockroach-like abdomen.

The following species are currently entered under this family:

• Mastotermes darwiniensis