Accurate Identification of Zootermopsis Species (Isoptera: Termopsidae) Based on a Mandibular Character of Nonsoldier Castes

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Abstract
A mandibular character, shape and position of the subsidiary tooth of all nonsoldier castes, enables precise identification of the three currently recognized species of the North American termite genus Zootermopsis Emerson. Use of this character resolves the problems of discriminating Z. angusticollis (Hagen) and Z. nevadensis (Hagen) based on previously described, often ambiguous, characters of soldier or imago morphology. Species may now be identified using immatures and pseudergates, which are abundant in colonies throughout the year.