Constrictotermes cavifrons[1][2] is a species of Amazonian nasute termite within the genus Constrictotermes.[3] It forms large and diurnal open-foraging trails to and from its sources of food which consists largely of lichens and other microepiphytes. The nests of C. cavifrons are arboreal and characterized by a cleared central runway from which foraging raids begin.[3]
The soldiers have antennae with 13 – 14 articles (antennomeres) and the length of the head ranges between 1.25 – 1.50 mm.[4] The head and abdomen segments are pigmented dark in contrast to the conspicuously yellowish thorax, matching the coloration of workers. Soldiers of this species molt from sclerotized worker-like forms which are slightly smaller than the actual workers but otherwise appear to behave no differently. The head of the pre-soldier form measures between 0.839 – 0.887 mm while workers range between 0.936 – 1.036 mm. The slit-shaped fontanelle of the pre-soldier form is also larger and more defined. During the molt the third and fourth antenna segments fuse and all antenna segments post-molt are more elongated than in the pre-soldier worker-like form.[5]
The imago of this species has a brownish-black, broadly oval head capsule which is sparsely covered by long hair. The fontanelle is slit-shaped and forks at the tip. The antennae consists of 15 segments with the second article equal in length to the fourth; third article is more than double the length of the 2nd article. Eyes and ocelli are large and the postclypeus is black-brown with no distinct median line. The wings are a dark smokey color and the venation is conspicuous. Length with wings included is 17 – 19 mm, body length excluding wings is between 8 – 10 mm.[6]
The nests are arboreal and typically found 10 meters high on a host tree. Unlike the nests of other arboreal species which have dark colored nests indicative of significant lignocellulose content, the nests of C. cavifrons are light in color which indicates a high amount of mineral soil used in their construction. Nests are mainly characterized by their elongate shape that tapers into a central runway which is either flanked by gallery walls on both sides and/or by downward sloping narrow ridges. These narrow ridges are perhaps the most diagnostic feature of the nests, and are believed to help divert rainfall from the central runway.[3]
Constrictotermes cavifrons is a species of Amazonian nasute termite within the genus Constrictotermes. It forms large and diurnal open-foraging trails to and from its sources of food which consists largely of lichens and other microepiphytes. The nests of C. cavifrons are arboreal and characterized by a cleared central runway from which foraging raids begin.
