We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
Termites
Latin Name: Coptotermes gestroi
Common Name: Asian Subterranean Termite
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
This is another subterranean termite closely related to the Formosan Termite that has managed to travel from its native Asia to many other regions of the world, including throughout the West Indies and in 1996 it was first discovered in southern Florida, and by 2004 in other areas of Florida. It also has been found on private boats arriving in Florida from islands in the Caribbean.
Biology:
Similar to the Formosan, the Asian Subterranean has swarming flights at dusk or at night, but usually earlier in the spring, beginning in February in Florida. It also may have very large colonies, but much of its status as a potential pest in the U.S. currently is unknown.
Identification:
This species is very similar to the Formosan Termite. Soldiers of both species have the teardrop shaped head and a large “fontanelle” at the
Latin Name: Nasutitermes corniger
Common Name: Conehead Termite
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Apparently native to the West Indies, this species was discovered in southern Florida in 2001, and represents the first introduction of a “Higher” termite in North America, although it is common in the new world tropics and is known to cause structural damage. When discovered in Florida it was infesting several homes and other buildings in a small area.
Biology:
Nests are typical of the “nasutiform” termites, with mud nests constructed high up in trees and thin mud tubes descending on the outside of the tree to the soil below. In the infestation in Florida aerial nests also were discovered in attics of the homes.
Identification:
The most distinctive caste of nasutiform termites is the soldiers, with the fontanelle on the head expanded to an enormous bulb that is pointed at the front, and the
Latin Name: Gnathitermes sp., Amitermes sp.
Common Name: Desert Subterranean Termites
Latin Family Name: Termitidae
Other Names: Arid land termite
Pest Details
Origin:
At least nine native species of Amitermes occur throughout the drier regions of the southern U.S., from Texas to California. There also is an Amitermes species called the Florida Darkwinged Subterranean Termite – Amitermes floridensis – currently found only in a small region of west-central Florida, and described as a new species in 2003.
Biology:
Very similar in appearance and habits to the typical subterranean termites except their activities are usually restricted to non-structural feeding on dead vegetation. The workers often create soil tubes over and around the vegetation they are feeding on. They may, however, infest wood members such as fencing, utility poles, or landscape timbers. Amitermes wheeleri is a species in the southwest
Latin Name: Reticulitermes flavipes
Common Name: Eastern Subterranean Termite
Latin Family Name: Rhinotermitidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
At least six species of native termites in this genus occur in North America, occurring throughout the country in all states and in Canada. These are the common and destructive soil-dwelling termites. The Eastern is the most common species in eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada south to Florida and in much of the eastern half of the U.S.
Biology:
With rare exception colonies are located in the ground, with foraging done from these colonies into structures or other wood sources. There is a true worker caste, with adult workers, soldiers, and alates in the colony along with a primary queen and often the “king” that helped initiate the colony. It is possible that a colony can have up to two hundred thousand workers or more, and several
Latin Name: Neotermes sp.
Common Name: Florida Dampwood Termites
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to the United States and found only in Florida, where there are 3 species in the genus Neotermes. N. castaneus has the greatest range in Florida and is common in subtropical habitats in woodlands as well as urban areas.
Biology:
These termites get their name from the need for a high moisture content in the wood. They are extremely common in wooded or forest environments in cooler climates. Colonies are generally small by termite standards, with several thousand workers in a mature colony. There is no true worker caste, as nymphs perform the duties of the colony and all nymphs become either adult soldiers or adult alates.
Identification:
These are the largest termites, and soldiers and alates have distinct characteristics. The wings extend well past the end of the abdomen, and there are 3 thickened veins near the
Latin Name: Coptotermes formosanus
Common Name: Formosan Subterranean Termite
Latin Family Name: Rhinotermitidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Asian in origin, and now found in the United States as a severe pest in Hawaii, Florida and Louisiana as well as other Gulf Coast states, and a lingering population near San Diego, California has existed for a number of years.
Biology:
This is one of the most destructive termites worldwide, due in part to the enormous colony size, which may be hundreds of thousands of workers. A single colony may forage over a radius of several hundred feet. While these are “subterranean” termites it is common to find aerial nests with no ground connection, as the colony is able to find moisture and building materials in buildings. They construct a very hard matrix called “carton” in which to live, made from cellulose and saliva. Swarming is in early evening, usually following rainfall,
Latin Name: Zootermopsis angusticollis
Common Name: Pacific Dampwood Termite
Latin Family Name: Hodotermitidae
Other Names: Rottenwood termite
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to the United States, and found in the Pacific Coast states and into Canada, and east to Montana and Texas. There are several minor species of dampwood termites in other genera, but the genus Zootermopsis is by far the most widespread, with 3 species in the U.S. The other 3 genera, with one species in each, are in Florida and in the deserts of the southwest states.
Biology:
These termites get their name from the need for a high moisture content in the wood. They are extremely common in wooded or forest environments in cooler climates. Colonies are generally small by termite standards, with several thousand workers in a mature colony. There is no true worker caste, as nymphs perform the duties of the colony and all nymphs become
Latin Name: Cryptotermes spp.
Common Name: Powderpost Termites
Latin Family Name: Kalotermitidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Two species are found in the United States, in Hawaii, Florida and Louisiana, and they are not found outdoors in natural settings but only in the wood of structures and furniture. They also are common in tropical Latin America, and likely originated there.
Biology:
These termites are well established in Louisiana and Florida, but occur in infested furnishings in other states at times, as likely transients in infested wood products. They require very little moisture content in the wood and will infest furnishings directly without soil contact. The wood may be reduced to a powdery substance, and the fecal material is very small and powdery, falling easily from exposed chambers. The workers may even cement fecal pellets together to form shelter tubes in which they can travel from one piece of
Latin Name: Incisitermes snyderi
Common Name: Southeastern Drywood Termite
Latin Family Name: Kalotermitidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Seven species of these native termites occur in North America, including I. minor, the western species which is extremely damaging to structures throughout California and Arizona, and I. snyderi, the southeastern species which may cause extensive damage in states from Texas to the east coast.
Biology:
This is one of two major drywood termites in the United States, and its range is from South Carolina to Florida and west to Texas. There is no true worker caste, as the nymphs perform the labor and all eventually grow to either soldiers or alates. Winged adults will not be produced until the colony is at least 4 years old, and mature colonies usually have less than 3000 members. Swarming may be during the evening or at mid-day, varying with location,
Latin Name: Incisitermes minor
Common Name: Western Drywood Termite
Latin Family Name: Kalotermitidae
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Seven species of these native termites occur in North America, including I. minor, the western species which is extremely damaging to structures throughout California and Arizona, and I. snyderi, the southeastern species which may cause extensive damage in states from Texas to the east coast.
Biology:
Drywood termites are somewhat limited to the drier, warmer climates, and generally occur in a band from California to Virginia, in an arc along only the lower parts of the U.S., with occasional incidents in other areas as transients in infested materials. There is no true worker caste, as the nymphs perform the labor and all eventually grow to either soldiers or alates. Winged adults will not be produced until the colony is at least 4 years old, and mature