[Objectives]  To evaluate using molecular methods to identify, and construct a phylogeny of, four Reticulitermes species, which, like other termites, have been traditionally identified on the basis of morphological features. [Methods] Mitochondrial 16S rDNA and COⅡ partial gene sequences of four Reticulitermes species (Reticuliterme hunanensis Tsai et Peng、Reticuliterme planifrons Li et Ping、Reticulitermes perilucifugus Ping and Reticulitermes minutus Ping et Xu ) were amplified, sequenced and compared. After Blast and base composition analysis, sequences were submitted to the GeneBank database and neighbor-joining trees of the phylogenetic relationships between species constructed. [Results]  The four 16S rDNA sequences are about 380 bp and the four COⅡ sequences are about 720 bp, long. The proportion of AT is much greater than that of CG in both genes, and the genetic distances between the 16S rDNA of each species are all greater than those between COⅡ gene sequences. Phylogenies based on the 16S rDNA and COⅡ sequences were consistent. [Conclusion]  That based on COⅡ gene sequences more closely reflected the geographical origin of the species but 16S rDNA sequences has greater nucleotide diversity than COⅡ gene sequences. The COⅡ gene is more applicable to research on phylogenetic differences caused by geographical location and by migration and immigration. The 16S rDNA is, however, more useful than the COⅡ gene for termite species identification.