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The difference between eastern & formosan subterranean termites
- 1. The Difference Between Eastern & Formosan Subterranean Termites Jeremy H. Miller
- 2. Objective Understand the difference in the swarming behaviors Visually identify the difference between the two species Soldiers Reproductives Understand the difference in the colony structure The difference in the threat
- 3. Eastern Subterranean Alate Reticulitermes flavipes Swarmer Dark brown to black in color Generally swarms from February to May Usually around noon to early afternoon Wings Translucent Colony A mature colony has approximately 60 thousand workers
- 4. Formosan Termite Alate Coptotermes formosanus Swarmer Light brown to gold in color Generally swarms from May to June Usually swarms in the evening Wings Covered in yellowish setae Colony Has 1-2 million workers More aggressive
- 5. Formosan Subterranean Termite Carton Nest Made of chewed wood, soil, and excrement Retains Moisture Enables colony to survive without soil contact for extended periods.
- 6. Comparison of Soldiers Formosan Termite Soldier Oblong or teardrop shaped head Fontanelle on the anterior surface of the head Emits a noxious white substance when agitated Comprises approximately 10% of the colony population Eastern Subterranean Soldier Rectangular shaped head Comprises 1-2% of the colony population Not as aggressive as the Formosan Soldier
- 7. Q&A Which species of termite has a swarmer with yellowish hairs on its wings? Formosan
- 8. Q&A Which species it likely to be if a customer calls in March and says that when they came home at lunch they found a bunch of dead swarmers? Eastern
- 9. Q&A What percentage of the population of an Eastern subterranean colony consists of soldiers. 1-2%
- 10. Q&A Which species has a fontanelle which produces a noxious substance? Formosan
- 11. Q&A Which species has a population of soldiers that is roughly 10% of the colony population. Formosan
- 12. Q&A If a customer calls with a swarm in June, which species is it most likely to be? Formosan
- 13. Q&A Which species poses the greater threat Formosan
- 14. Q&A Which species is known for making carton nests which enable them to survive for extended periods cut off from the soil? Formosans
- 15. Thank You
Editor's Notes
- Have you ever treated for the wrong termite? Well, about 9 years ago when I moved to Florida, I did. I had never heard of Formosan termites. I didn’t know that the colonies of the Formosans could make carton nests and could survive after being cut off from soil. I was called out to an enormous warehouse infested with termites. I didn’t know that a localized treatment for them was a fools errand. Cost me in the end. Hopefully, after this, it won’t cost you.
- Reticulitermes flavipes, or eastern subterranean termites typically swarm from February to May around noon. They are dark brown to black in color and their wings are almost clear.
- Coptotermes formosanus, or Formosan subterranean termites, typically swarm in the evening from May to July. Formosan termite swarmers are lighter in color than eastern subterranean termites. Their wings are covered in yellowish setae (or hairs).
- Coptotermes formosanus, or Formosans, have a teardrop shapedhead while Reticultermes flavipes or eastern subterranean termites, have a rectangular shaped head. Under magnification you can easily make out another key difference: the Formosan termtie has a fontanelle on the anterior surface of the head. When they become agitated they produce a thick white substance that is noxious to ants from the fontanelle. 1% to 2% of the population of an eastern subterranean termite colony is made up of soldiers while in Formosan colonies the percentae of the population consisting of soldiers is roughly 10% so you will see a good deal more soldiers when you disturb a Formosan colony. I have prepared a quiz to see how well you have absorbed this information.