Nasutitermes exitiosus
Snouted termite, Gluegun termite at Isaacs, ACT
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| Nasutitermes exitiosus | DonFletcher | 27 Apr 2025 | |
| Unverified | Mike | 26 Apr 2025 |
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2 comments
27 Apr 2025
Hi @Mike, There are two species of mound building termites in the ACT. In the higher, colder parts of the ACT, Coptotermes lacteus, the Milk Termite, builds a very hard, strong mound. Some of these mounds can also be seen on Black Mt, and, more rarely, other lowland sites. In the lower, warmer areas of the ACT (below about 850m) the vast majority of mounds are of Nasutitermes exitiosus, which is in the Gluegun Termite genus. These mounds are softer so that if you kick one it will leave a visible mark or even a depression. There are other distinguishing features as well but hardness is the best.
The soldier termites are also easy to distinguish. Coptotermes soldiers have clearly visible jaws. Nasutitermes soldiers have a 'gluegun' snout, appearing to form a smooth sharp protrusion, with no visible jaws (except under magnification).
The soldier termites are also easy to distinguish. Coptotermes soldiers have clearly visible jaws. Nasutitermes soldiers have a 'gluegun' snout, appearing to form a smooth sharp protrusion, with no visible jaws (except under magnification).
27 Apr 2025
Thanks @DonFletcher, I don’t usually report termite nests, but this stump was shared with coconut ants.
Location information
- Maps Isaacs Ridge and Nearby Isaacs Ridge
- Places Isaacs, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- Mike Recorded by
- Less than 5mm Animal size
Collections
- Mike NatureMapr Canberra & Southern Tablelands Nasutitermes exitiosus Termites (superfamily Termitoidea) Other insects Insects
Species information
- Nasutitermes exitiosus Scientific name
- Snouted termite, Gluegun termite Common name
- Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 795m Recorded at altitude
Record quality
Quality score
4 / 7
- Images or audio
- Verified by an expert moderator
- GPS evidence of location
- Additional attributes
- More than one media file
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- Description