Formosan
Introduction
Formosan termites long have been a pest in Hawaii, first collected in
1896 but not correctly identified until 1905. They were first discovered
in the continental states in 1956 in Charleston, S. C., then in Houston,
Texas, in 1965, and the next year in Galveston. They are known from
several areas in southern Louisiana; Meridian (1984) and Biloxi-Gulfport
(1985), Miss.; Mobil, Ala. (1985); south Florida and into North
Miami Beach, then found in Orlando (1983), Fort Walton Beach (1984), and
in Pensacola; and were discovered in Memphis, Tenn., in 1984. In
1992, infestations were verified in Holden Beach, N.C.; Florence, S.C.;
Tampa, Fla.; and San Diego, Calif. In 1996, infestations were verified in
Spindale, N.C., which is in western North Carolina.
The Formosan termite is the so-called "Super" termite of the popular
press. This primarily is because of the large size of the colony and
hence, the termites' ability to consume a large amount of wood in
relatively short period of time and to produce large evening flights of
swarmers.
Recognition
Swarmer. About 1/2 inch long including wings. Body pale yellow to
brownish yellow. Fontanelle present, on a tubercle toward margin front
of head. Front wing with two dark, heavily sclerotized veins in front
portion, other veins unpigmented except for basal third. Wings
translucent, densely covered with hairs. Front wing scale distinctly
larger than hind wing scale, may overlap basal portion of hind wing
scale.
Soldier. Head rounded on sides. Tapered or narrowed toward front,
with Fontanelle on slight tubercle toward front of head. Mandibles lack
teeth. Pronotum flat, narrower than head.
Habits
These essentially are the same as for the eastern subterranean
termite. Formosans do have the habit of establishing a secondary nest
above ground if a constant moisture supply is available. Such a nest is
made of a material called carton. It consists of soil and wood cemented
together with saliva and feces. Such large nests typically cause walls
to bulge. True aerial nests (never ground contact) more often are
encountered than for the Eastern Subterranean termites, but are not
common.
|
