Emersonitermes thekadensis 卡迪埃默森白蚁
- Type locality
- India: Kerala (Travancore): Thekaday
- Distribution
- India
List: English (genus page) · 中文 · Español
Summary
Emersonitermes thekadensis is the only extant species of the genus Emersonitermes, in the family TERMITIDAE (subfamily Nasutitermitinae). The species was described by Mathur & Sen-Sarma in 1959; the type locality is India: Kerala (Travancore): Thekaday. Distribution: India.
Etymology
Genus name Emersonitermes: Named after the termite taxonomist A. E. Emerson; -termes from Latin termes.
Specific epithet thekadensis: Named after Thekadi, India
Taxonomic position
- Family: TERMITIDAE — 280 genera, 2144 species
- Subfamily: Nasutitermitinae — 81 genera, 606 species
- Genus: Emersonitermes — monotypic, 1 species
Distribution
- Distribution records: India
The record above follows the wording of the original data; no geocoding or standardized place names have been applied.
Morphology
The description below is paraphrased from the original or a later revision, by caste; the source is cited at the end.
Diagnostic characters
A monotypic genus endemic to southern India. The soldier head capsule is creamy white and pear-shaped, the nasus reddish brown, slender and conical, the mandibles reduced and spineless, the antennae 14-segmented, the pronotum saddle-shaped with a non-emarginate anterior margin, and each abdominal tergite bears 4 long hairs; the worker has 13 antennal segments and a large basal process on the left mandible that projects beyond marginal tooth 2.
Soldier
The head capsule is creamy white, the frontal gland area paler; the nasus is reddish brown; the antennae are brown; the pronotum is yellow; the legs and abdomen are creamy white. The head capsule is pear-shaped and densely covered with minute hairs interspersed with long ones; the nasus is slender and conical; there are 14 antennal segments; the mandibles are reduced and spineless; the pronotum is saddle-shaped with a non-emarginate anterior margin; the apical tibial spur formula is 2:2:2 and the tarsi are 4-segmented; the abdomen is elongate, each tergite bearing 4 long hairs.
Worker
The head capsule is nearly circular and densely haired; the coronal suture is invisible; the frontal plate is elliptical and white; there are 13 antennal segments; the postclypeus is raised and half as long as wide; the mandibles have an apical tooth and 2 marginal teeth; the apical tooth of the left mandible is sharp and nearly as long as marginal tooth 1; marginal tooth 1 is large, narrow and triangular with a long posterior margin; marginal tooth 2 is small and widely separated; the basal process is large and projects beyond marginal tooth 2; on the right mandible the apical tooth is nearly as long as marginal tooth 1; marginal tooth 1 is isosceles-triangular; marginal tooth 2 is short, with the posterior margin longer than the anterior, and the angle between the two marginal teeth is obtuse; the molar plate is longer than the posterior margin of marginal tooth 2; the pronotum and legs are as in the soldier.
This genus is monotypic, containing only this species; the following is the genus-level description based on the original literature; species-level measurements and intraspecific variation are given in the original.
Distribution map
No GBIF record with coordinates was found for this species.
Related papers
Cached papers for this genus (matched automatically, for reference); to search this species with its junior synonyms merged in, use the literature search.
- Two new Termites Emersonitermes thekadensis gen. et sp. nov. and Trinervitermes nigrirostris sp. nov. from India (Insecta:Isoptera)1
Abstract
Summary This account is based on material collected by Prof. Dr. Günther Becker of the Bundesanstalt für Materialprüfung, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany, during his short period of stay in India (1956). His termite collection contains some 20 species, out of which one genus and two species are new to science. The descriptions of Emersonitermes thekadensis gen. et sp. nov. and Trinervitermes nigrirostris sp. nov. are given with illustrations. Nasutitermes beckeri is described by Baini Prashad und P. K. Sen-Sarma and is published elsewhere. Zusammenfassung Dieser Beitrag beruht auf einer Termiten-Sammlung von Prof. Dr. Günther Becker, Bundesanstalt für Materialprüfung, Berlin-Dahlem, Unter den Eichen 87, während seines 3monatigen Aufenthaltes in Indien 1956. Von den bisher bestimmten 20 Arten, die seine Sammlung enthält, sind ein Genus und zwei weitere Arten neu für die Wissenschaft. Emersonitermes thekadensis und Trinervitermes nigrirostris sind mit Abbildungen beschrieben. - Die Beschreibung von Nasutitermes beckeri Prashad und Sen-Sarma wird an anderer Stelle veröffentlicht.
- Bioecological and economical observations on termites of Peninsular India
Abstract
Here are presented bioecological and economical observations on termites of Peninsular India, especially as regards ecological habitats, mound‐ and nest‐structure, the economic damage caused to forest trees, etc., made on 25 species belonging to 2 families (Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and the following 14 genera:Heterotermes, Coptotermes, Eremotermes, Microcerotermes, Angulitermes, Dicuspiditermes, Procapritermes, Labiocapritermes, Macrotermes, Odontotermes, Microtermes, Emersonitermes, NasutitermesandTrinervitermes.The study area covered an extent of roughly 22 400 km2(Tamil Nadu 400 km2, Kerala 9000 km2, and Karnataka 13 000 km2). Mounds and/or nests are described in several species.Microcerotermes minorcauses 20–30% mortality inEucalyptus citriodoraplantations, andOdontotermes horniat least 10% mortality inEucalyptusspp., in both cases by girdling tap roots. Mounds ofOdontotermes brunneus, O. obesusandO. wallonensis, and carton nests aufMicrocerotermes fletcheriandNasutitermes brunneus, are discussed. The mound and nest ofTrinervitermes biformisare described. Zusammenfassung Bioökologische und ökonomische Beobachtungen an Termiten der Halbinsel Indien Es wurden Beobachtungen über die im Südteil Indiens verbreiteten Termiten mitgeteilt, speziell was die Habitats, die Bauten‐ und Neststrukturen sowie den Schaden an Bäumen und anderem betrifft. 25 Arten werden in die Betrachtungen einbezogen. Sie gehören zu 2 Familien (Rhinotermitidae und Termitidae) sowie 14 Gattungen:Heterotermes, Coptotermes, Eremotermes, Microcerotermes, Angulitermes, Dicuspiditermes, Procapritermes, Labiocapritermes, Macrotermes, Odontotermes, Microtermes, Emersonitermes, NasutitermesundTrinervitermes. Das Untersuchungsareal umfaßte die Gebiete von Tamil Nadu, Kerala und Karnataka mit zusammen 22 400 km2.Microtermes minorverursachte 20–30% Schäden inEucalyptus‐citridora‐Plantagen,Odontotermes hornimindestens 10% beiEucalyptusspp. in beiden Fällen durch Ringelung der Hauptwurzel. Die Bauten vonOdontotermes brunneus, O. obesusund O.wallonensis, sowie die Kartonnester vonMicrocerotermes fletcheriundNasutitermes brunneuswerden näher betrachtet. Der Bau und das Nest vonTrinervitermes biformiswerden beschrieben.
- Beiträge zur Kenntnis der geographischen Verbreitung und wirtschaftlichen Bedeutung von Termiten in Indien1
Abstract
Zusammenfassung Es wird über Ergebnisse von Termiten‐Sammlungen und ‐Beobachtungen berichtet, die von September bis Dezember 1956 in Indien in den Staaten Uttar Pradesh, Bombay, Mysore, Kerala, Madras, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa und in Kalkutta – oft bei nur sehr knapper Zeit – vorgenommen werden konnten. An Termitenarten wurden gefunden: Cryptotermes spec., Heterotermes indicola Wasmann, Heterotermes malabaricus Snyder, Coptotermes ceylonicus Holmgren, Coptotermes heimi Wasmann, Amitermes belli Desneux, Microcerotermes cameroni Snyder, Angulitermes obtusus Holmgren, K. u. N., Macrotermes estherae Desneux, Odontotermes anamallensis Holmgren, K. u. N., Odontotermes assamanensis Holmgren, Odontotermes assmuthi Holmgren, Odontotermes bangalorensis Holmgren, Odontotermes escherichi (Holmgren), Odontotermes feae (Wasmann), Odontotermes malabaricus Holmgren, K. u. N., Odontotermes microdentatus Roonwal and Sen‐Sarma, Odontotermes obesus Rambur, Odontotermes redemanni Wasmann, Odontotermes wallonensis Holmgren, Microtermes anandi Holmgren, Microtermes globicola Wasmann, Nasutitermes anamalaiensis Snyder, Nasutitermes beckeri Prashad and Sen‐Sarma (spec. nova), Nasutitermes brunneus Snyder, Trinervitermes nigrirostris Mathur and Sen‐Sarma (spec. nova), Emersonitermes thekadensis Mathur and Sen‐Sarma (gen. nov., spec. nova). Fundorte und zuvor bekannte Vorkommen werden für die einzelnen Arten angegeben. Für eine Anzahl von ihnen ergibt sich ein ausreichendes Bild ihrer geographischen Verbreitung. Die am häufigsten eingesammelten Arten waren Odontotermes redemanni, O. feae, O. wallonensis, Microtermes anandi und Microcerotermes cameroni. Für einige Gebiete Indiens werden die bedeutendsten dort vertretenen Arten zusammengestellt. Eine Erklärung für die Verbreitungsgrenzen bedarf noch zahlreicher Beobachtungen und ökologischer Untersuchungen über die Voraussetzungen ihres Vorkommens. Die wirtschaftlich wichtigsten Arten sind offenbar für Holz in Gebäuden Heterotermes indicola, Coptotermes heimi und im Süden H. malabaricus und C. ceylonicus, Odontotermes feae, O. redemanni, O. wallonensis, O. assmuthi und O. bangalorensis, für Holz im Freien sind die Heterotermes‐ und Coptotermes‐Arten anscheinend vergleichsweise weniger bedeutend, während Microtermes‐Arten, besonders M. anandi, weitere Odontotermes‐Arten wie O. obesus und Microcerotermes cameroni zu beachten sind. Für die Unterschiede in Gebäuden und im Freien wird eine Erklärung zu geben versucht. Fraß an stehenden Bäumen, der zuvor von Coptotermes ceylonicus, C. heimi, O. obesus, O. redemanni und O. wallonensis bekannt gewesen war, ist außerdem bei Heterotermes malabaricus (in abgestorbenen Teilen), Microcerotermes cameroni (an Kokospalmen und Laubbäumen), Odontotermes assamensis (an Bäumen), O. feae (an verschiedenen Bäumen) und Microtermes anandi (an Kokospalmen) beobachtet worden. Neben Freilandversuchen mit Pflöcken (stakes), bei denen die vorkommenden Termitenarten beachtet werden müssen, sollten Laboratoriumsversuche der natürlichen Widerstandsfähigkeit von Holzarten und der Wirksamkeit von Holzschutzmitteln mit einzelnen Arten ausgeführt werden; dafür sind Heterotermes indicola, Coptotermes heimi und Odontotermes feae besonders zu empfehlen. Summary The results are given of termite collecting and observation carried out – often for only a very short time – in India between September and December 1956 at Uttar Pradesh, Bombay, Mysore, Kerala, Madras, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Calcutta. The following species were found: Cryptotermes sp., Heterotermes indicola Wasmann, H. malabaricus Snyder, Coptotermes ceylonicus Holmgren, C. heimi Wasmann, Amitermes belli Desneux, Microcerotermes cameroni Snyder, Angulitermes obtusus Holmgren, K. & N., Macrotermes estherae Desneux, Odontotermes anamallensis Holmgren, K. & N., O. assamanensis Holmgren, O. assmuthi Holmgren, O. bangalorensis Holmgren, O. escherichi (Holmgren), O. feae Wasmann, O. malabaricus Holmgren, K. & N., O. microdentatus Roonwal & Sen‐Sarma, O. obesus Rambur, O. redemanni Wasmann, O. wallonensis Holmgren, Microtermes anandi Holmgren, M. globicola Wasmann, Nasutitermes anamalaiensis Snyder, N. beckeri Prashad & Sen‐Sarma (sp. nov.), N. brunneus Snyder, Trinervitermes nigrirostris Mathur & Sen‐Sarma (sp. nov.), Emersonitermes thekadensis Mathur & Sen‐Sarma (gen. et sp. nov.). Habitats and previous records are given for each species. The species most commonly collected were: Odontotermes redemanni, O. feae, O. wallonensis, Microtermes anandi and Microcerotermes cameroni. The most important species are listed for some Indian areas. An explanation of the distribution still requires numerous observations and ecological studies on the prerequisites for their occurrence. The species most important economically for wood in buildings are; Heterotermes indicola, Coptotermes heimi and, in the south, H. malabaricus and C. ceylonicus, Odontotermes feae, O. redemanni, O. wallonensis, O. assmuthi and O. bangalorensis. For wood outdoors, the Heterotermes and Coptotermes spp. appear to be relatively less important whilst Microtermes spp. particularly.
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Abstracts come from open metadata; copyright remains with the original authors/publishers. For reference only — please check the original.
Cite this species
Citation strings are generated from the fields of this page; please keep the DOI and the version number when citing.
GB/T 7714
班奈特格林. Extant Isoptera (termites): a checklist of Latin and Chinese names: Emersonitermes thekadensis 卡迪埃默森白蚁[EB/OL]. Version 2026.10.30. https://termite-extant-isoptera.org/en/species/emersonitermes-thekadensis/. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23646836.
BibTeX
@misc{isoptera_emersonitermes_thekadensis_2026,
author = {班奈特格林},
title = {Emersonitermes thekadensis: a checklist of extant Isoptera (termites)},
year = {2026},
version = {2026.10.30},
howpublished = {https://termite-extant-isoptera.org/en/species/emersonitermes-thekadensis/},
note = {TERMITIDAE; version 2026.10.30; DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23646836},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23646836}
}
RIS
TY - ELEC TI - Emersonitermes thekadensis: a checklist of extant Isoptera (termites) AU - 班奈特格林 PY - 2026 UR - https://termite-extant-isoptera.org/en/species/emersonitermes-thekadensis/ DO - 10.5281/zenodo.23646836 ER -