Powderpost

The common name powderpost comes from the small fecal pellets these termites produce and because they commonly attack the wood of furniture. These are drywood termites; they infest relatively dry wood, require no found contact, get needed moisture from the infested wood, and are found primarily in humid coastal areas. In the United States, they are found in Florida, the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the South, and Hawaii.

Recognition

Swarmer. About 3/8-7/16 inch long including wings. Head and body dull brown; wing membrane uncolored or faintly yellowish brown. Head width 1/32 inch. Antenna with 14-18 segments. Front wing with three dark, heavily sclerotized veins in front half/portion; median vein unsclerotized, running midway between sclerotized veins above and unsclerotized cubitus below, and curving forward near mid-wing to join sclerotized radial sector vein; not hairy. Tibia with no spines along length, apex with three spines but no spur.

Soldier. Head short and thick in front, front surrounded by a flange and front part nearly black. Mandibles recurved under front of head, with an unequal number of teeth on each member of pair. Antenna with fewer than 19 segments. Tibia lacks spines along length.

Habits

Swarming powderpost termites fly into structures and infest wood directly. They typically first infest exposed wood such as window/door frames, trim, eaves, attics, etc. When swarming, they usually re-infest the same structure. Multiple colonies often are found in a structure or single infestation site.