Dampwood
Introduction
As their name implies, dampwood termites locate their colonies in damp,
sometimes decaying wood. Representatives of three termite families are included
in this distinct habitat group.
These termites vary in appearance from family to family; almost all of these
are longer than the Eastern/Western/Desert subterranean termites with the
nymphs being up to 3/4 inch and the
swarmers up to 1 inch long including wings. They occur in the Pacific coastal
and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid Northwest, and southern Florida.
Recognition
Termopsidae:
Swarmer. Up to one inch long including wings. Fontanelle and ocelli lacking.
Antenna usually with more than 22 segments. Front wings with three or more dark,
heavily sclerotized veins in
front half/portion; not hairy. Tibia with one or more large spines along
length and at apex.
Soldier. Up to 3/8-3/4 inch long, mandibles with unequal number of teeth
on each member of pair. Antennae usually with more than 22 segments.
Tibia with spines along length and at apex.
Kalotermitidae:
Swarmer. About 1/2 inch long including wings. Fontanelle lacking.
Ocelli present. Antenna usually with fewer than 22 segments. Front
wing with three or more dark, heavily sclerotized veins in front half/portion;
not hairy. Tibia with no spines along length, but present at apex.
Soldier. Mandibles with an unequal number of teeth on each member of pair.
Antennae with fewer than 22 segments, third segment not enlarged. Tibia lacks spines along length.
Rhinotermitidae:
Swarmer. About 3/8 inch long including wings. Fontanelle present, may be inconspicuous.
Front wings with two dark, heavily sclerotized veins in front portion, other veins
unpigmented except for basal third; broad, arched in middle. Wing translucent, not hairy.
Front wing scale distinctly larger than hind wing scale, may overlap basal portion of hind wing scale.
Soldier. Head more rounded with dorsal fontanelle gland pore opening; formosan's
on a slight tubercle/tube toward front of head. Mandibles lack teeth. Pronotum flat,
distinctly not as wide as head.
Habits.
Dampwood termites typically are found in logs, stumps, and old standing dead trees,
but at least one species is found in the dead limbs of live trees. From these places they
move into structures, especially where wood is in contact with the ground, or there is a
constant moisture supply such as leaky pipes. In general, check for moisture problems
and/or decaying wood first, then for dampwood termites.
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