Luzon Point Headed Termites… Are They Faceless?

Termites are often spotted in our parks, and the infestation can get really bad. Most do not go closer to see how they look like. For some who did look closer, they might have observed that some termites only had a pointed head and no face!

The Luzon Point Headed Termites (Nasutitermus luzonicus) are soldier termites without mandibles. They feed on wood sap and often form their nests in tree trunks.

Had a chance to shoot these guys up close in Venus Drive as I joined James (Singapore Nature) in a night shoot all the way to the following year.

#1 A normal view from above, where many mistake them to be faceless. Where are their eyes??

#2 Side view of the termite, the “face” is actually located beneath the pointed head

#3 A curious termite peeps over. I was just a few cm away from the mess of termites.

#4 Another closer look

#5 Stick insect spotted while waiting for the rest to shoot the glowing mushrooms! IDed by James as the Green Striped Flying Stick (Presbistus peleus). The tip of the tail is interestingly swollen.

#6 Closer look at it’s face

#7 Only managed 1 shot of the bio-luminiscent mushrooms, with the help of Alvin’s tripod. Mine was too cumbersome and couldn’t reach in.

#8 Not sure of exact species, but we found many of these jumping spiders and thought it’s back looked like the Eight Spotted Crab Spider which we were talking about earlier.

#9 Frontal shot

#10 Another look at it’s back

#11 We also found many Harvestmen in the night

#12 Side view, very hard to see all the details!

The complete album can be viewed here.

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