Insect pests of cassava in Thailand. It is native to tropical regions of Asia. Because of its population size and foraging range, the presence of a colony poses serious threats to nearby structures. Center for Urban and Structural Entomology. Formosan termites are rarely found north of 35°N. Coptotermes gestroi is a ve… Australian Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre. By proper taxonomic convention, the older name, Coptotermes gestroi, must be recognized. [7] Their distribution will probably continue to be restricted to southern areas of the United States because the eggs will not hatch below about 20 °C (68 °F). YouTube; University of Florida. In the United States, along with another species, Coptotermes gestroi, introduced from Southeast Asia, they are responsible for tremendous damage to property resulting in large treatment and repair costs. Appearance. [11] By the 1950s, it was reported in South Africa. The diet of the subterranean termite consists of anything that contains wood fiber (homes, building, live trees), crops, and plants. The ground provides the moisture needed by the subterranean termites. Scientific Name. The genus Coptotermes contains the largest number of termite pests (28 species) among the >3,100 termite species worldwide, and the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is the most widely distributed and most economically important. Once established, Formosan termites have never been eradicated from an area. They have been reported from 11 states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The Formosan termite acquired its name because it was first described in Taiwan in the early 20th century, but C. formosanus is probably endemic to southern China. Also known as an introduced subterranean termite, the Formosan termite is found in states across the southern U.S., including Alabama, Florida, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee. Formosan subterranean termite. The queen of the colony has a lifespan around 15 years and is capable of producing up to 2,000 eggs per day. Subterranean termites by far cause the most termite damage and there is a greater danger of infestation by subterranean termites to homes in the United States than any other termite. A lot of wood. Both species have a large fontanelle, when viewed from above, both also have a tear drop-shaped head; The soldiers of two species may be separated as: - Coptotermes gestroi soldiers have one pair of hairs near the rim of the fontanelle and the lateral profile of the top of the head just behind the fontanelle shows a weak bulge. Good Bug or Bad Bug? The reproductives nurse the first group of young termites until the young termites reach third instar. Desert termite alates’ wings and bodies are light brown but subterranean termites have black bodies and transparent wings with veins. Subterranean termites live in the ground, unlike drywood termites which living inside the wood they eat. Like many other termites, the Formosan termite feeds on wood and other materials that contain cellulose, such as paper and cardboard. Coptotermes formosanus. This destructive species was apparently transported t… Live trees include oak, ash, and water-bound cypress. Formosan Subterranean Termites. ( https://www.cabi.org/cpc ); and Su N-Y, Scheffrahn RH (2019) Formosan subterranean termite. Information from CABI (2019) Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite). Widespread. Desert termite alates measure from 1/2 to 5/8 inches in length, whereas subterranean termites alates are less than a 1/2-inch long. Click Here for More Info. Coptotermes formosanus. Messenger, M.T., N.Y. Su, and R.H. Scheffrahn. Click Here for More Info. Reticulitermes hesperus. The common name accepted by the Entomological Society of America for C. formosanus is the Formosan subterranean termite but the simplified version: Formosan termite is also used. 384). University of Florida. Within the Blattodea order, this species is part of the infraorder Isoptera, which includes termites only – about 3,100 species worldwide. Common name: Termite Scientific Name: Varies Order: Isoptera Description:Drywood termites are light yellow to black with clear to smoky gray wings, about 7/16 inch long. [15] In North America, C. formosanus creates significantly bigger colonies, and therefore more damage, than native US termites, which reside underground and enter buildings only to forage. Formosan Termites These termites have originated from China and are commonly found in southern U.S. regions such as Georgia, Hawaii, Texas, Mississippi, California, and Tennessee. 12 (1), 5-7. Coptotermes gestroi is similar ( see Fact Sheet no. Formosan Termite Habitat. The workers provide the food, soldiers defend the nest, and reproductives breed the colony. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Formosan Subterranean Termite. Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL) Source: Biological Invasion (Springer Nature Switzerland) Abstract. What are Formosan Termites? [9] Progeny of colonies feeding on pecan and American ash Fraxinus americana had significantly greater survival than progeny of colonies feeding on other wood species. University of Georgia. Weights and Measures. However, they are known to chew through foam insulation boards, thin lead and copper sheeting, plaster, asphalt, and some plastics. It is also known as Coptotermes intrudens. A mature Formosan colony can consume as much as 13 ounces of wood a day (about 400 g) and can severely damage a structure in as little as three months. When they find a food source above ground they build a safe pathway or “mud tube” to create a connection from their home to the food. Cassava Newsletter. Klinkii. Scientific Name. Kirton and Brown (2003) determined that "Haviland's subterranean termite," Coptotermes havilandi Holmgren, was a newer second name given to a termite that already had the name Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). Agricultural Commissioner. It is also known as Coptotermes intrudens. University of California. After a brief flight, alates shed their wings. The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. The two types of termites that are commonly confused with each other are the formosan termites and the subterranean termites. The Formosan termite is often nicknamed the super-termite because of its destructive habits due to the large size of its colonies and its ability to consume wood at a rapid rate. Formosan termites prefer warm climates and densely populate certain areas of the American South. The soldiers of C formosanus resemble those of C gestroi. Subterranean termite’s scientific name is Rhinotermitidae, genus Reticulitermes, Coptotermes and Heterotermes. Formosan termites (Coptotermes Formosanus) prefer warm climates and are heavily abundant in the southern states, Louisiana included. 384 ). Assessment of untreated Papua New Guinea timbers for resistance to subterranean termites. The Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) is native to mainland China, but has been spread throughout the world by human activity. These eggs will eventually be nursed by termites from the first batch of eggs. These results indicate that differences observed in colony fitness can be partially explained by nutritional value of the food treatment, raising the possibility that wood from different tree species has different nutritional values to the Formosan subterranean termites. With possibly more than 10 million mouths to feed in their colonies, Formosan termites … Scientific Name. Subterranean termite species are the most destructive for wooden constructions. Common Name. Colonies feeding on nutritionally supplemented, cellulose-based matrix showed similar fitness characteristics as colonies feeding on the best wood treatments. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. Distribution. Texas A&M University. Females immediately search for nesting sites, with males following closely behind. Bad Bug. The Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is a species of termite that has been transported worldwide from its native range in southern China to Taiwan (formerly known as Formosa, where it gets its name), Japan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, and the continental United States. Asia, Africa (South Africa), North America (including Hawaii), the Caribbean (US Virgin Islands), Oceania. The subterranean termite is by far the most destructive termite. [13], It has its greatest impact in North America. Research and Extension. Subterranean Formosan Termites. National Invasive Species Information Center, Google Images - Formosan Subterranean Termite, Invasive.org - Formosan Subterranean Termite, YouTube - Invasive Subterranean Termites in Florida, Plantwise Technical Factsheet - Formosan Subterranean Termite (, The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Species of the Galveston Bay Area - Formosan Subterranean Termite, Formosan Termites in North Carolina (Jun 2018), Biology of Subterranean Termites in the Eastern United States, Identifying the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Pest Notes: Subterranean and Other Termites, United States Department of Agriculture—Agriculture Research Service research on targeted management of the Formosan subterranean termite, Current distribution of the Formosan subterranean termite and other termite species in Louisiana (PDF | 103 KB). Coptotermes formosanus. Patchouli (/ p ə ˈ tʃ uː l i /; Pogostemon cablin), from Tamil paccuḷi, is a species of plant from the family Lamiaceae, commonly called the "mint" or "deadnettle" family.The plant grows as a bushy perennial herb, with erect stems reaching around 75 centimetres (2.5 ft) in height and bearing small, pale pink-white flowers. Alates, or swarmers, are about 5/16 inch (14-15mm) in overall length, including their wings. Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), were collected from monitoring stations by using the method of Su and Scheffrahn (1986). Common name: Formosan subterranean termite. GAINESVILLE—A new subterranean termite recently discovered in South Florida may be just as destructive as the dreaded Formosan termite, say University of Florida scientists. Formosan Termite Habits. What they need for activity are … These termites tunnel within the soil, connecting their large, underground network to a food source. It really doesn’t matter to them. Pests and Diseases Image Library. What It Is: The Formosan subterranean termite is a member of the insect order Blattodea, which includes cockroaches and termites.Within the Blattodea order, this species is part of the infraorder Isoptera, which includes termites only – about 3,100 species worldwide. Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. What It Is: The Formosan subterranean termite is a member of the insect order Blattodea, which includes cockroaches and termites. 2002. During the 1960s, it was found in Texas, Louisiana, and South Carolina. SIZE: The typical Formosan alate (i.e., winged termite, or swarmer) measures around one-half of an inch in length, wings included. Colonies of C. formosanus feeding on pecan, Carya illinoensis and red gum, Liquidambar styraciflua produced significantly more progeny than colonies feeding on other wood species tested. One to two months later, the queen lays the second batch of eggs. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Galveston Bay Estuary Program; Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). Start studying Invasive Species - Scientific Names. [12] Historic structures in Hawaii have been threatened, such as Iolani Palace in Honolulu. Currently the Formosan subterranean termite is found across the southern U.S. and is spreading inward, but winter temperatures will probably halt permanent establishment beyond a northern limit. Common name: formosan subterranean termite scientific name: Coptotermes formosanus Good Bug or Bad Bug? Subterranean termites are the most destructive termites in North America. Crop Protection Compendium. When they find a food source above ground they build a safe pathway or “mud tube” to create a connection from their home to the food. The ground provides the moisture needed by the subterranean termites. 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