*Editorial* **Special Issue: Selected Papers from the 1st International Electronic Conference on Entomology**

**Nickolas G. Kavallieratos**

Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Attica, Greece; nick\_kaval@aua.gr

The 1st International Electronic Conference on Entomology (1IECE) was held between 1 and 15 July 2021 on the MDPI Sciforum platform organized and funded by the international journal *Insects*. This event provided an opportunity for scientists from around the globe to communicate their most recent research findings in entomology. In the last decade, there has been tremendous development of entomological research, leading to the publication of thousands of important studies. 1IECE aimed to rapidly spread worldwide advances in insect science to the entire scientific community through the publication of proceedings of selected papers in a Special Issue (SI). This SI employed the same eight fields used for topical subdivisions during 1IECE: Systematics and Morphology, Genetics and Genomics, Biology, Behavior and Physiology, Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Pest Management, Forest and Urban Entomology, Medical and Veterinary Entomology, and Apiculture and Pollinators. In total, 21 1IECE presentations have been published in the journal *Insects* through the traditional peer review process. The contributors to this Proceedings SI represent 23 countries from across the globe: Togo, Senegal, Italy, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Serbia, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, Russia, The Netherlands, Cyprus, USA, Spain, South Africa, France, United Kingdom, and Argentina.

The studies in this SI deal with various interesting aspects of research, i.e., identification of termite species in West Africa [1], characterization of the microbial symbionts of *Ceratitis capitata* (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations [2], the contribution of bacterial symbionts to the thermal tolerance of two aphid species *Rhopalosiphum padi* (L.) and *Sitobion avenae* (F.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) [3], recording the nematode fauna in Greek forests [4], investigation of genetic variability in *Apis mellifera* L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Serbia through microsatellite loci [5], comparison of damage caused to tomato plants by the biocontrol agents *Nesidiocoris tenuis* (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) and *Dicyphus cerastii* Wagner (Hemiptera: Miridae) [6], evaluation of numerous essential oil-based microemulsions as grain protectants for management of two major stored-product insects, *Tribolium castaneum* (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and *Trogoderma granarium* Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) [7], investigation of several aspects of the life history of the biological control agent *Neoleucopis kartliana* (Tanasijtshuk) (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae) in Greece [8], validation of theoretical models explaining the persistence of mtDNA variation within populations of *Drosophila obscura* Fallén (Diptera: Drosophilidae) [9], description of how thermal conditions, sex, and population origin may affect stress resistance in *Drosophila subobscura* Collin (Diptera: Drosophilidae) [10], the genetic structure of *Corythucha ciliata* (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) based on mitochondrial DNA analysis [11], utilization of ecological/geographical models to evaluate changes in the distribution of *Oedaleus decorus* (Germar) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) [12], investigation of exposure to heavy metals and population origin on the diversity of microbiota and fitness in *Drosophila melanogaster* Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and *D. subobscura* [13], a database and checklist of alien insects in Greece [14], evaluation of direct and delayed mortality caused by the anthranilic diamide chlorantraniliprole to adults and larvae of *T. castaneum*, adults of *Rhyzopertha dominica* (F.)

**Citation:** Kavallieratos, N.G. Special Issue: Selected Papers from the 1st International Electronic Conference on Entomology. *Insects* **2022**, *13*, 945. https://doi.org/10.3390/ insects13100945

Received: 9 October 2022 Accepted: 17 October 2022 Published: 18 October 2022

**Publisher's Note:** MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

**Copyright:** © 2022 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

(Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), adults of *Sitophilus oryzae* (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and adults and nymphs of *Acarus siro* L. (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) [15], identification of *Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi* Gimpel and Miller (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and *Maconellicoccus hirsutus* Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) as potential vectors of cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) [16], defining relationships between coccinellids and aphids on alfalfa in Spain [17], exploration of the diversity and phylogeny of Tingidae species occurring on olive trees in South Africa using morphology and mitogenome sequence [18], and examination of the interaction between *T. castaneum* and *Aspergilus flavus* Link (Eurotiales: Trichocomaceae) in maize flour [19]. Furthermore, this SI includes two review papers addressing the current (2010–2021) global knowledge on taxonomy of Aphidiinae (Braconidae) [20] and adaptation of Echinophthiriidae (Anoplura) surviving in places unfavorable to all other insects [21].

Finally, I would like to thank all authors for their fine contributions, the Academic Editors of Insects Bessem Chouaia, Brian T. Forschler (Editor-in-Chief of *Insects*), Natsumi Kanzak, Silvio Erler, Thomas W. Phillips, Tibor Magura, Marco Salvemini, and David Schlipalius for their critical decisions on certain manuscripts, the reviewers for the time they spent to carefully examine the manuscripts and make valuable suggestions, and the editorial team of *Insects* who processed manuscripts for the SI. My special thanks go to Barbara Wang, Assistant Editor of *Insects*, who exhaustively worked for several months with me to make this important SI come to fruition.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The author declares no conflict of interest.

#### **References**


**Toblie Quashie Effowe <sup>1</sup> , Boris Dodji Kasseney 1,\* , Abdoulaye Baïla Ndiaye <sup>2</sup> and Adolé Isabelle Glitho <sup>1</sup>**


**Simple Summary:** In the sub-Saharan regions of Africa, there are many termite species, of which very few have been correctly identified and described. The large majority of these species is either wrongly identified or waiting to be found and described because of the lack of identification keys and the errors within the existing keys. One way to overcome this problem is the use of reference works that contain illustrated parts of the body of termites along with accurate measurements of the features involved in termite identification. The purpose of this study is to provide pictures of the heads of soldiers (commonly used in termite identification) along with measurements of parts of the head and leg. A total of 12 termite species were examined. Seven of these species were already described, while the other five appear to have not been described before. Ten out of the twelve species are new records for the country.

**Abstract:** In Africa, despite their economic and ecological importance, termites are still relatively unknown. Their systematic remains uncertain, the approximate number of species for many biogeographic areas is underestimated, and there is still confusion in the identification of the species for many genera. This study combined morphological traits with morphometric measurements to determine several species collected in Togo and provided head illustrations of soldiers. Termites were sampled within the frame of transects laid in several landscapes inside three different parks including: Fosse aux Lions, Galangashie, and Fazao Malfakassa. Samples were grouped by morphospecies and measurements of part of the body (length and/or width of head, mandible, pronotum, gula, and hind tibia) were conducted. Twelve termite species including *Foraminitermes corniferus*, *Lepidotermes* sp., *Noditermes cristifrons*, *Noditermes* sp. 1 and *Noditermes* sp. 2, *Promirotermes holmgren infera*, *Promirotermes* sp., *Unguitermes* sp., *Amitermes evuncifer*, *A. guineensis*, *A. truncatus*, and *A. spinifer* were separated and pictured. Ten new species were added to the check list of the country, including five unidentified ones. Further studies such as biomolecular analysis should be carried out in order to clarify the status of these unknown species.

**Keywords:** termite systematic; morphological traits; morphometric measurements

### **1. Introduction**

Termites species and generic richness (particularly in the central and west part of the continent) is very important [1–3]. Most termite species are found in tropical forest, undisturbed savanna, and protected parks [4–7]. Although several studies have been conducted (and are still ongoing) on African termites, the diversity and the taxonomy of these termites remain poorly documented. Many species are waiting to be identified, while

**Citation:** Effowe, T.Q.; Kasseney, B.D.; Ndiaye, A.B.; Glitho, A.I. Record of New Termite (Blattodea, Termitidae) Species in Togo West Africa. *Insects* **2022**, *13*, 841. https://doi.org/10.3390/ insects13090841

Academic Editor: Nickolas G. Kavallieratos

Received: 8 May 2022 Accepted: 18 July 2022 Published: 15 September 2022

**Publisher's Note:** MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

**Copyright:** © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

others have been incorrectly identified [8–11]. These taxonomical problems were pointed out by a group of researchers working on African termites [12].

In fact, the identification of African termites is based not only on the comparison of samples with reference species (which most of the time have not been correctly identified) but also with reference works by famous taxonomists [13–19]. These reference works combine morphological traits (shape, color of different parts of the body) and morphometric measurements (length, width, and depth) of certain parts of the body of the soldier caste. The worker caste of termites is also used for identification, and the same features as soldiers are examined or measured [20]. In addition to the external morphological traits, gut anatomy is often used to identify termites [21]. All these descriptions are sometimes illustrated by hand drawing of the whole or part of the body of the termites instead of color images. This weakness is understandable as most of these reference works were carried out and published a century ago with tools and means that did not allow color images. However, since then, very few revisions have been conducted on African termite species. Among the useful reference works, several are also written in languages such as German [15], Italian [13,14] and French [8,9,17,18], which unlike English are not easily accessible to many researchers. Fortunately, recent research on termite taxonomy, in addition to using English, also uses images of the whole or part of the body of termites [22,23]. The research on termites in Togo (a West African country) has been hampered by the abovementioned issues. The check list of termite species of the country needs to be established. Although some recent studies have been carried out on the systematization of termite species, many areas of the country have still not been prospected, and their respective species remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of termites species in the country and to share color images along with the morphological features and morphometric measurements of several emblematic species from the central and northern parts of Togo.

#### **2. Materials and Methods**

#### *2.1. Study Areas*

Termites were collected from three different parks (Figure 1) including: Fosse aux lions (10◦460–10◦490 N and 0◦ 110–0◦140 E), Galangashie (10◦190–20◦280 N and 0 ◦140–0◦270 E), and Fazao-Malfakassa (8◦200–9◦350 N and 0◦350–1◦020 E).

Fosse aux lions and Galangashi, both located in the northern part of Togo, are characterized by a Sudanian tropical climate with a long dry season (November to May) and a long rainy season (June to October). In these two parks, the mean temperatures range from 29 ± 2 ◦C during the rainy season to 30 ± 3 ◦C during the dry season. The annual rainfall is 986 mm, and the landscape is shrubby savanna. Fazao-Malfakassa, located in the center of the country, is characterized by a semi-humid tropical climate with a rainy season from April to October and a dry season from November to March. The mean temperatures range from 27.5 ± 1.5 ◦C during the dry season to 27 ± 2 ◦C during the rainy season. The annual rainfall is 120 mm, and the landscape is composed of dry forests, gallery forests, shrubby savanna, and fallows.

### *2.2. Termites Sampling*

A total of 27 sampling sites were prospected with three transects per sampling site (81 transects for the whole study). The standard protocol [24] adapted to the savanna ecosystem [4,25] was used. Each transect of 100 × 5 m was divided into 20 sampling units of 5 × 2 m, which were sampled for 15 min [26,27]. Termites were searched within the frame of each sampling unit inside mounds, litter, wood, and grasses on trees by two well-trained collectors. After this searching on the surface, termites were also searched throughout eight soil scraps.

**Figure 1.** Map of Togo with prospected parks. **Figure 1.** Map of Togo with prospected parks.

#### *2.2. Termites Sampling 2.3. Termites Identification*

A total of 27 sampling sites were prospected with three transects per sampling site (81 transects for the whole study). The standard protocol [24] adapted to the savanna ecosystem [4,25] was used. Each transect of 100 × 5 m was divided into 20 sampling units of 5 × 2 m, which were sampled for 15 min [26,27]. Termites were searched within the frame of each sampling unit inside mounds, litter, wood, and grasses on trees by two well-Morphological traits (shape of the mandibles and the position of the mandible tooth) of the soldier and the number of antennal segments were used to separate species. Measurements of head width and length, left mandible length, pronotum width, and hind tibia length were made with a stereomicroscope (Leica EZ4) equipped with an integrated camera connected to a computer. Voucher specimens are conserved in the "Laboratoire d'Entomologie" of the University of Lomé (Lomé, Togo).

#### trained collectors. After this searching on the surface, termites were also searched *2.4. Statistical Analysis*

throughout eight soil scraps. *2.3. Termites Identification*  A total of 5 individual soldiers (when possible) were used for morphometric measurements. Thus, the morphometric data are presented as the mean of the measurements of each of chosen morphological feature from 5 individual soldiers.

Morphological traits (shape of the mandibles and the position of the mandible tooth) of the soldier and the number of antennal segments were used to separate species. Measurements of head width and length, left mandible length, pronotum width, and hind tibia Factorial discriminant analysis (using morphometric data) was used to separate species with close measurements within the same genus. XLSTAT (version 6.1.9. 2003 Addinsoft, Inc., Broklyn, NY, USA) software was used for the factorial discriminant analysis.

#### length were made with a stereomicroscope (Leica EZ4) equipped with an integrated cam-**3. Results**

*2.4. Statistical Analysis* 

ysis.

era connected to a computer. Voucher specimens are conserved in the "Laboratoire d'Entomologie" of the University of Lomé (Lomé, Togo). Twelve termite species belonging to seven genera and three subfamilies (Table 1) were examined in this study. All these species belonged to the Termitidae family. Except for *A. evuncifer* and *A. guineensis*, the other 10 species were recorded for the first time in Togo.

Factorial discriminant analysis (using morphometric data) was used to separate species with close measurements within the same genus. XLSTAT (version 6.1.9. 2003 Addinsoft, Inc., Broklyn, NY, USA) software was used for the factorial discriminant anal-

A total of 5 individual soldiers (when possible) were used for morphometric meas-


**Table 1.** Termite species examined.

## *3.1. Foraminitermes Species*

*3.2. Lepidotermes Species* 

tral view (**right**).

The head of the soldier was yellow-brown and sub-rectangular in the dorsal view (Figure 2). The labrum with a whitish tip was a bit shorter than the mandibles, which were shorter than the head capsule. The mandibles were brown at the base but darker at the top. The antennae had 15 articles. The morphometric measurements of this species are given in Table 2. *Insects* **2022**, *13*, x 5 of 15

**Figure 2.** The head of *Foraminitermes corniferus* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 2.** The head of *Foraminitermes corniferus* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).

The head in the dorsal view (Figure 3) was almost square. The mandibles were wider at the base but tapered at the top. Each mandible had a basal tooth. There were 14 antennal

**Figure 3.** The head of Lepidotermes sp. soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ven-

**Measured Characters Measurements** (**mm**) Head length 1.14 Head width 1.05 Left mandible length 1.29 Pronotum width 0.482 Gula width 0.638 Hind tibia length 0.741

**Table 3.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Lepidotermes* sp.


Left mandible length 1.29

**Figure 2.** The head of *Foraminitermes corniferus* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**),

The head in the dorsal view (Figure 3) was almost square. The mandibles were wider

**Table 2.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Foraminitermes corniferus*. at the base but tapered at the top. Each mandible had a basal tooth. There were 14 antennal

*Insects* **2022**, *13*, x 5 of 15

#### *3.2. Lepidotermes Species* Pronotum width 0.482

and ventral view (**right**).

*3.2. Lepidotermes Species* 

The head in the dorsal view (Figure 3) was almost square. The mandibles were wider at the base but tapered at the top. Each mandible had a basal tooth. There were 14 antennal articles. The morphometric measurements of this species are presented in Table 3. Gula width 0.638 Hind tibia length 0.741

**Figure 3.** The head of Lepidotermes sp. soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 3.** The head of *Lepidotermes* sp. soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).

**Table 3.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Lepidotermes* sp.


### *3.3. Noditermes Species*

The heads of these three species in dorsal view (Figures 4–6) were almost rectangular and orange. Their respective labrum was bifurcate at the top. There were 14 antennal segments. However, they were distinct species, and their differences are highlighted in Tables 4–6. The head capsule of *Noditermes* sp. 1 was larger (1.626 ± 0.027 mm) and wider (1.15 ± 0.046 mm) than the other two *Noditermes*. Similarly, the mandibles of *Noditermes* sp. 1 were also longer (1.35 ± 0.026 mm) than those of the two other species. *N. cristifrons* had the smaller pronotum (0.508 ± 0.008 mm). The factorial differential analysis (Figure 7) shows clearly that these three *Noditermes* species were distinct.

*3.3. Noditermes* species

*3.3. Noditermes* species

clearly that these three *Noditermes* species were distinct.

clearly that these three *Noditermes* species were distinct.

*Insects* **2022**, *13*, x 6 of 15

The heads of these three species in dorsal view (Figures 4–6) were almost rectangular and orange. Their respective labrum was bifurcate at the top. There were 14 antennal segments. However, they were distinct species, and their differences are highlighted in Tables 4–6. The head capsule of *Noditermes* sp. 1 was larger (1.626 ± 0.027 mm) and wider (1.15 ± 0.046 mm) than the other two *Noditermes*. Similarly, the mandibles of *Noditermes* sp. 1 were also longer (1.35 ± 0.026 mm) than those of the two other species. *N. cristifrons* had the smaller pronotum (0.508 ± 0.008 mm). The factorial differential analysis (Figure 7) shows

The heads of these three species in dorsal view (Figures 4–6) were almost rectangular and orange. Their respective labrum was bifurcate at the top. There were 14 antennal segments. However, they were distinct species, and their differences are highlighted in Tables 4–6. The head capsule of *Noditermes* sp. 1 was larger (1.626 ± 0.027 mm) and wider (1.15 ± 0.046 mm) than the other two *Noditermes*. Similarly, the mandibles of *Noditermes* sp. 1 were also longer (1.35 ± 0.026 mm) than those of the two other species. *N. cristifrons* had the smaller pronotum (0.508 ± 0.008 mm). The factorial differential analysis (Figure 7) shows

**Figure 4.** The head of *Noditermes cristifrons* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 4.** The head of *Noditermes cristifrons* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 4.** The head of *Noditermes cristifrons* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).

**Figure 5.** The head of *Noditermes* sp. 1 soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 5.** The head of *Noditermes* sp. 1 soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 5.** The head of *Noditermes* sp. 1 soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). *Insects* **2022**, *13*, x 7 of 15

**Figure 6.** The head of *Noditermes* sp. 2 soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 6.** The head of *Noditermes* sp. 2 soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).

**Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD** 

**Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 1.6–1.67 1.626 ± 0.027 Head width 1.07–1.19 1.15 ± 0.046 Left mandible length 1.31–1.38 1.35 ± 0.026 Pronotum width 0.609–0.62 0.616 ± 0.004 Gula width 0.263–0.301 0.284 ± 0.015 Hind tibia length 0.734–0.936 0.886 ± 0.086

**Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 1.36–1.39 1.372 ± 0.012 Head width 1.09–1.12 1.105 ± 0.013 Left mandible length 1.26–1.33 1.285 ± 0.031 Pronotum width 0.563–0.597 0.579 ± 0.013 Gula width 0.265–0.288 0.275 ± 0.006 Hind tibia length 0.808–0.832 0.814 ± 0.012

Head width 0.91–1.09 1.002 ± 0.059 Left mandible length 1.17–1.38 1.237 ± 0.082 Pronotum width 0.5–0.516 0.508 ± 0.008 Gula width 0.239–0.31 0.279 ± 0.025 Hind tibia length 0.754–0.878 0.791 ± 0.044

**Table 5.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Noditermes* sp. 1.

**Table 6.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Noditermes* sp. 2.

**Table 4.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Noditermes cristifrons*.


**Table 4.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Noditermes cristifrons*.

**Table 5.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Noditermes* sp. 1.


**Table 6.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Noditermes* sp. 2.


**Figure 7.** *Noditermes* species discrimination by factorial discriminant analysis.

were longer than the head capsule (Table 7). There were 14 antennal articles.

#### **Figure 7.** *Noditermes* species discrimination by factorial discriminant analysis. *3.4. Unguitermes Species*

*3.4. Unguitermes Species*  The head of the soldier in the dorsal view (Figure 8) was almost square and yelloworange. The top of the labrum was rectilinear and wider than the base. The mandibles The head of the soldier in the dorsal view (Figure 8) was almost square and yelloworange. The top of the labrum was rectilinear and wider than the base. The mandibles were longer than the head capsule (Table 7). There were 14 antennal articles.

> **Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 1.16–1.2 1.18 ± 0.028 Head width 0.986–1.02 1.003 ± 0.024 Left mandible length 1.21–1.28 1.245 ± 0.045 Pronotum width 0.54–0.6 0.57 ± 0.04 Gula width 0.301–0.32 0.31 ± 0.013 Hind tibia length 0.772–0.793 0.782 ± 0.014

The head of the soldier in the dorsal view (Figure 8) was almost square and yelloworange. The top of the labrum was rectilinear and wider than the base. The mandibles

> **Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 1.16–1.2 1.18 ± 0.028 Head width 0.986–1.02 1.003 ± 0.024 Left mandible length 1.21–1.28 1.245 ± 0.045 Pronotum width 0.54–0.6 0.57 ± 0.04 Gula width 0.301–0.32 0.31 ± 0.013 Hind tibia length 0.772–0.793 0.782 ± 0.014

**Figure 7.** *Noditermes* species discrimination by factorial discriminant analysis.

**Table 7.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Unguitermes* sp.

were longer than the head capsule (Table 7). There were 14 antennal articles.

*3.4. Unguitermes Species* 

**Figure 8.** The head of *Unguitermes* sp. soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).


**Table 7.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Unguitermes* sp.

### *3.5. Amitermes Species*

The four species of *Amitermes* including *A. evuncifer* (Table 8, Figure 9), *A. guineensis* (Table 9, Figure 10), *A. spinifer* (Table 10, Figure 11), and *A. truncatidens* (Table 11, Figure 12) were unambiguously identified. Apart from *A. spinifer* (with 13 antennal segments), the soldiers of the other three species had 14 antennal segments. All four species had mandibles strongly curved at the top, and each mandible had a tooth in its inner side. The tips of the mandibular teeth of *A. evuncifer*, *A. truncatidens*, and *A. guineensis* were horizontal, whereas in *A. spinifer* the tips of the mandibular teeth were pointing down. *A. guineensis* differed from the other species by the rectangular shape of the head capsule and especially by the average length, which was greater (1.225 ± 0.031 mm) than those of the other species. The species with a shorter head capsule was *A. spinifer* (0.933 ± 0.018 mm). The left mandible of *A. guineensis* was the longest (0.722 ± 0.058 mm), while *A. truncatidens* had the shortest left mandible (0.547 ± 0.023 mm). The ranges and measurements of head length, head width, left mandible length, pronotum width, gula width, and hind tibia length for each species are presented in Tables 8–11, respectively. Although the *A. evuncifer* and *A. truncatidens* measurements were close (Tables 8 and 11), the factorial discrimant analysis showed that they were separate species (Figure 13), as well as the other two species (*A. guineensis* and *A. spinifer*).

**Table 8.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes evuncifer*.



*guineensis* and *A. spinifer*).

view (**right**).

*3.5. Amitermes Species* 


**Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 1.06–1.19 1.134 ± 0.049

**Figure 9.** The head of *Amitermes evuncifer* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 9.** The head of *Amitermes evuncifer* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).

**Table 9.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes guineensis*. **Table 9.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes guineensis*.

**Table 8.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes evuncifer*.

*Insects* **2022**, *13*, x 9 of 15

**Figure 8.** The head of *Unguitermes* sp. soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral

The four species of *Amitermes* including *A. evuncifer* (Table 8, Figure 9), *A. guineensis* (Table 9, Figure 10), *A. spinifer* (Table 10, Figure 11), and *A. truncatidens* (Table 11, Figure 12) were unambiguously identified. Apart from *A. spinifer* (with 13 antennal segments), the soldiers of the other three species had 14 antennal segments. All four species had mandibles strongly curved at the top, and each mandible had a tooth in its inner side. The tips of the mandibular teeth of *A. evuncifer*, *A. truncatidens*, and *A. guineensis* were horizontal, whereas in *A. spinifer* the tips of the mandibular teeth were pointing down. *A. guineensis* differed from the other species by the rectangular shape of the head capsule and especially by the average length, which was greater (1.225 ± 0.031 mm) than those of the other species. The species with a shorter head capsule was *A. spinifer* (0.933 ± 0.018 mm). The left mandible of *A. guineensis* was the longest (0.722 ± 0.058 mm), while *A. truncatidens* had the shortest left mandible (0.547 ± 0.023 mm). The ranges and measurements of head length, head width, left mandible length, pronotum width, gula width, and hind tibia length for each species are presented in Tables 8–11, respectively. Although the *A. evuncifer* and *A. truncatidens* measurements were close (Tables 8 and 11), the factorial discrimant analysis showed that they were separate species (Figure 13), as well as the other two species (*A.* 


**Figure 10.** The head of *Amitermes guineensis* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 10.** The head of *Amitermes guineensis* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).

**Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 0.865–0.954 0.933 ± 0.018 Head width 0.681–0.742 0.726 ± 0.027

Pronotum width 0.472–0.492 0.486 ± 0.009 Gula width 0.257–0.26 0.288 ± 0.020 Hind tibia length 0.642–0.65 0.643 ± 0.017

**Figure 11.** The head of *Amitermes spinifer* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and

ventral view (**right**).

**Table 10.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes spinifer*.

ventral view (**right**).


**Table 10.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes spinifer*. **Table 10.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes spinifer*.

**Figure 10.** The head of *Amitermes guineensis* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and

*Insects* **2022**, *13*, x 10 of 15

**Table 9.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes guineensis*.

**Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 1.17–1.27 1.225 ± 0.031 Head width 0.677–0.979 0.871 ± 0.008 Left mandible length 0.611–0.795 0.722 ± 0.058 Pronotum width 0.139–0.287 0.438 ± 0.013 Gula width 0.139–0.287 0.213 ± 0.041 Hind tibia length 0.503–0.519 0.509 ± 0.005

**Figure 11.** The head of *Amitermes spinifer* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 11.** The head of *Amitermes spinifer* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).

**Table 11.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes truncatidens*. **Table 11.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes truncatidens*.


**Figure 12.** The head of *Amitermes truncatidens* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**). **Figure 12.** The head of *Amitermes truncatidens* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**), and ventral view (**right**).

**Figure 13.** *Amitermes* species discrimination by factorial discriminant analysis.

at the top. Their respective labra were bifurcate and wider at the top.

For the two species of this genus, *P. holmgreni infera*, (Table 12, Figure 14) and *Promirotermes* sp. (Table 13, Figure 15) the hind part of the head was wider than the front part. The maxillary palps of the two species were as long as the mandibles, which were tapered

*3.6. Promirotermes Species* 

**Table 11.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Amitermes truncatidens*.

**Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 1.01–1.13 1.064 ± 0.037 Head width 0.943–0.992 0.966 ± 0.016 Left mandible length 0.522–0.577 0.547 ± 0.023 Pronotum width 0.564–0.576 0.575 ± 0.007 Gula width 0.27–0.314 0.284 ± 0.021 Hind tibia length 0.756–0.816 0.785 ± 0.025

**Figure 12.** The head of *Amitermes truncatidens* soldier in dorsal view (**left**), lateral view (**middle**),

**Figure 13.** *Amitermes* species discrimination by factorial discriminant analysis. **Figure 13.** *Amitermes* species discrimination by factorial discriminant analysis.

#### *3.6. Promirotermes Species*

(**right**).

and ventral view (**right**).

*3.6. Promirotermes Species*  For the two species of this genus, *P. holmgreni infera*, (Table 12, Figure 14) and *Promirotermes* sp. (Table 13, Figure 15) the hind part of the head was wider than the front part. The maxillary palps of the two species were as long as the mandibles, which were tapered For the two species of this genus, *P. holmgreni infera*, (Table 12, Figure 14) and *Promirotermes* sp. (Table 13, Figure 15) the hind part of the head was wider than the front part. The maxillary palps of the two species were as long as the mandibles, which were tapered at the top. Their respective labra were bifurcate and wider at the top. *Insects* **2022**, *13*, x 12 of 15

**Table 12.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Promirotermes holmgreni infera*.

at the top. Their respective labra were bifurcate and wider at the top.

**Table 12.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Promirotermes holmgreni infera*.


**Figure 14.** The head of *Promirotermes holmgreni infera* soldier in dorsal view (**left**) and ventral view **Figure 14.** The head of *Promirotermes holmgreni infera* soldier in dorsal view (**left**) and ventral view (**right**).

Head length 0.877–0.879 0.878 ± 0.014 Head width 0.692–0.995 0.693 ± 0.021 Left mandible length 1.11–1.13 1.12 ± 0.015 Pronotum width 0.75–0.77 0.76 ± 0.014 Gula width 0.33–0.344 0.337 ± 0.009 Hind tibia length 0.667–0.67 0.668 ± 0.0016

**Table 13.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Promirotermes* sp.

(**right**).


**Table 13.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Promirotermes* sp.

**Table 13.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Promirotermes* sp.

**Figure 14.** The head of *Promirotermes holmgreni infera* soldier in dorsal view (**left**) and ventral view

*Insects* **2022**, *13*, x 12 of 15

**Table 12.** The measurements (mm) of the soldiers of *Promirotermes holmgreni infera*.

**Measured Characters Range** (**mm**) **Mean ± SD**  Head length 1.27–1.31 1.29 ± 0.014 Head width 0.994–1.08 1.040 ± 0.034 Left mandible length 1.57–1.74 1.674 ± 0.063 Pronotum width 0.787–0.826 0.802 ± 0.02 Gula width 0.27–0.36 0.31 ± 0.037 Hind tibia length 1.1–1.23 1.136 ± 0.05

**Figure 15.** The head of *Promirotermes* sp. soldier in dorsal view (**left**) and ventral view (**right**).

#### **4. Discussion**

Among the recorded species, several had already been described, while others seemed to be ambiguous, because their measurements did not fall within the range of known species from West Africa. Foraminitermitinae include three genera: *Foraminitermes*, *Labritermes*, Holmgren 1914 and *Pseudomicrotermes*, Holmgren 1912 [28,29]. *Foraminitermes* species have been revised by Krishna [30]. Among the six described species of *Foraminitermes*, two species including *F. tubifrons* Holmgren 1912 and *F. valens* Silvestri 1914 [13], were both recorded in West Africa (Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria) and neighboring countries (Cameroon and Congo). *F. corniferus* is close to *F. valens* for some morphometric values in comparison to other species. However its head is larger than that of *F. valens*. As the other five *Foraminitermes* species, *F. corniferus* is endemic to the Ethiopian zoogeographical region and was recorded in Congo (Mukimbungu) [30]. The occurrence of *F. corniferus* in our study area indicates that the distribution area of this species, hitherto known from the Congo (Mukimnungu), extends to Togo. The genus *Lepidotermes* contains nine described species [29]. All these species are found principally in southern Africa [30–34]. Among these species, *Lepidotermes* sp. is morphologically close but smaller than the *Lepidotermes lounsburyi* and *Lepidotermes planifacies* described respectively by Silvestri [14] and Williams [35]. *N. cristifrons*, previously described as *Cubitermes cristifrons* [36], seemed to be the sole species of the seven described of the *Noditermes* genus [29] to occur in West Africa. It was recorded in Gambia in a forest ecosystem. The other two undetermined *Noditermes* (*Noditermes* sp. 1 and sp. 2) were all larger than *N. cristifrons* and appeared to not yet be described. This appears to be the same for *Unguitermes* sp. which was smaller than *Unguitermes acutifrons* [14] and *Unguitermes magnus*, Ruelle 1973 [37]. All the representative castes (imago, soldiers, and workers) of the four *Amitermes* species were already described and are all found in the Ethiopian zoogeographical region [19]. In this study, the ranges and means of the measurements of the soldiers fell within the ranges and means of respective species. *Amitermes spinifer* had the shorter and smaller head of all, while *A. guineensis* had the longer and the larger one. Compared to *Promirotermes holmgren holmgren*, *P. holmgren infera*, and *P. holmgren redundans,* the known species from West Africa, the *Promirotermes* sp. presented was clearly smaller and different by the shape of its head.

#### **5. Conclusions**

Twelve termite species were partially (head) illustrated in our study. Seven of these species including the four species of *Amitermes* genus (*A. evuncifer*, *A. guineensis*, *A. spinifer,* and *A. truncatus*), *Foraminitermes corniferus*, *Noditermes cristifrons,* and *Promirotermes holmgren inferea* were already described. The other five (*Lepidotermes* sp., *Noditermes* sp. 1, *Noditermes* sp. 2, *Unguitermes* sp., and *Promirotermes* sp.) were different by their measurements from the known species of the respective genus. This study was the first in Togo to present termite species with measurements and illustrations. It can be used as reference work for future taxonomic research.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, B.D.K., A.B.N. and A.I.G.; Methodology, T.Q.E., B.D.K., A.B.N. and A.I.G.; Software, B.D.K. and A.B.N.; Validation, T.Q.E., B.D.K., A.B.N. and A.I.G.; Formal analysis, T.Q.E., B.D.K. and A.B.N.; Investigation, T.Q.E. and B.D.K.; Data curation, T.Q.E., B.D.K. and A.B.N.; Writing—original draft preparation, B.D.K.; Writing—review and editing, T.Q.E., B.D.K., A.B.N. and A.I.G.; Visualization, T.Q.E., B.D.K., A.B.N. and A.I.G.; Supervision, B.D.K. and A.B.N.; Project administration, A.B.N. and A.I.G.; Funding acquisition, A.B.N. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This study was part of a project financed by UEMOA (Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine): PAES\_UEMOA\_Termites Afrique de l'Ouest\_Don n◦ 2100155007376.

**Institutional Review Board Statement:** Not applicable.

**Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable.

**Data Availability Statement:** The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

**Acknowledgments:** The authors are grateful to the authorities of the "Ministère de l'Environnement et des Ressources Forestières" for the logistics and other facilities. We thank Sanbena Banibea Bassan and villagers in the sampling localities for their help in the field.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

#### **References**

