Coptotermes

Coptotermes is a genus of termites in the family Rhinotermitidae. As eusocial insects, they form large colonies that include workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals known as alates. Species in this genus are among the most economically damaging termites in many tropical and subtropical regions, capable of rapid colony growth and extensive wood-foraging activity.

Native to Asia and the Pacific, several Coptotermes species have become invasive in other continents through trade and travel. The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is particularly notorious for forming large, resilient colonies and forming dense networks of shelter tubes, often infesting buildings. Coptotermes gestroi, the Asian subterranean termite, is also a major pest in urban areas of warm climates. Both species are typically subterranean, constructing nests in soil and reaching above-ground wood via mud tubes and foraging corridors. They favor moist environments and cellulose-rich materials.

Colonies can be extensive, comprising thousands to millions of individuals across castes: workers forage and feed others, soldiers defend the colony, and winged reproductives swarm to establish new nests. Some Coptotermes species require soil contact to sustain colonies, while others can survive in sheltered above-ground structures connected to a food source.

Management of Coptotermes species relies on integrated pest management, including moisture control, physical barriers, soil-applied termiticides, and baiting systems. Regular inspections help detect early signs such as mud tubes, damaged wood, and swarmers. Taxonomically, the genus includes several species, with identification often based on soldier morphology or genetic analyses.