Overview
All described Australian Nicoletiinae belong in
Trinemura
(Smith 1988).
Description
Eyes absent; body with or without scales, white or golden.
Distribution
Trinemura novaehollandiae
is recorded from under stones and in caves in W.A.,
T. excelsa
from under stones and logs in S.A., and
T. norfolkensis
from leaf litter on Norfolk Is.
T. russendenensis
and
T. anemone
have been found only in caves, in Qld and N.S.W. respectively. Other nicoletiines, as yet undetermined, are known from Kangaroo Is., Qld and the N.T. Mature males of
Trinemura
often have enlarged pedicels, with projecting processes. Males of
T. anemone
,
T. norfolkensis
and an undescribed species from the N.T. have unusual, anemone-like processes on the inner, proximal surface of each cercus.
Six genera of Atelurinae (7 described species, several undescribed) are recorded from Australia. All species are small, up to 3-7 mm long.
Allatelura hilli
is associated with
Mastotermes darwiniensis
in northern Australia and, perhaps, with
Coptotermes acinaciformis
in the N.T.
Gastrotheus disjunctus
has been collected with termites in S.A. and W.A., but undetermined
Gastrotheus
have been collected with ants or termites. Species of
Atopatelura
seem to predominate in southern areas, including Tas., and occur in both ant and termite nests. The host of
Atelurodes similatus
is unknown, although an undetermined
Atelurodes
lives with the ant
Myrmecia brevinoda
. An undescribed genus and species occurs with
Coptotermes brunneus
in W.A., and another undescribed genus occurs with
Schedorhinotermes actuosus
and
Armitermes vitosus
in Qld.