The morphological diagnosis of 2 economically important subterranean termites in Western Indonesia, Coptotermes curvignathus and Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodea, Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

In Indonesia, the control of Coptotermes curvignathus populations as living tree termite pests has been carried out since the early 20th century. Recently, C. curvignathus has been considered the main termite pest and designated as the only species model for wood and wood products resistance tests against subterranean termite attack testing protocol in the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). However, the species distribution range of C. curvignathus has been long questioned as Coptotermes gestroi is commonly reported as a species found in urban areas of Southeast Asian region, particularly in Indonesia. One of the reasons for the species distribution discrepancies is the lack of morphological markers to distinguish both species in the field. Thus, limiting the field inspection effectiveness in termite pest management in Indonesia. This study reexamined and clarified the morphological differences between C. curvignathus and C. gestroi, based on soldier caste. The head shape, mandible shape, and distribution of genal setae on the ventro-anterior head part and pronotum marked the difference between the 2 species. These current results support previous findings of C. curvignathus as the forest dweller while clarifying C. gestroi as the common urban dweller in Indonesia. The putative benefit of morphological features related to the head, mandible, and setae distribution to the defensive adaptation in their common habitat was discussed. Ultimately, the inclusion of C. gestroi into the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) as an alternative species for efficacy tests against subterranean termites is highly recommended.