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Home > Formosan Subterranean Termite

Photo By Termiteman , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

Formosan Subterranean Termite

Coptotermes formosanus

A species of Subterranean termites, Also known as Super Termite, Oriental subterranean termite, Orental termite

The formosan Subterranean Termite was so named because it was first discovered in the Republic of Formosa (present-day Taiwan), though it has now invaded countries around the world. This species is sometimes referred to as the super-termite due to its massive-sized colonies and extremely fast consumption rate. The formosan Subterranean Termite poses a large threat to structures and, once established, has never been eradicated from an area.

General Info About Formosan Subterranean Termite

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Attributes of Formosan Subterranean Termite

Adult Food Sources

Structural lumber, hardwood, softwood, paper products, fiberboard

Larva Food Source

Decayed wood, dead plant material, leaf litter, fallen timber, coniferous and deciduous timber

Biting/stinging

Not reported

Allergy-causing

Not reported

Defensive attack

Not reported

Venomous

Not reported

Non-poisonous

The Formosan Subterranean Termite is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.

Borer

The Formosan Subterranean Termite can bore into the wood and may damage its structure, or even harm the health of trees. Stay alert if you frequently observe it in your house.

Pollinator

Not reported

Pest-Eating Predatory

Not reported

Phytophagous

The Formosan Subterranean Termite feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.

Predatory

Not reported

Biting animal or pet

Not reported

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Life Cycle of Formosan Subterranean Termite

Egg The egg stage of formosan Subterranean Termite is distinguished by its small, oval, and typically white appearance. Laid in clusters, these eggs are often found within protected environments.

Nymph As formosan Subterranean Termite enters the nymph stage, it resembles a miniature, wingless adult. Throughout subsequent molts, it increases in size, develops color, and begins to differentiate into specific castes.

Adult Formosan Subterranean Termite can differentiate into worker or soldier forms. Workers maintain the colony infrastructure and care for young, while soldiers possess enlarged mandibles for defense. Both lack reproductive capabilities.
Reproductive formosan Subterranean Termite develop wings and darker coloration. Upon engaging in a nuptial flight, they shed their wings, mate, and establish new colonies as kings and queens.

Adult Size of Formosan Subterranean Termite

1.2 - 1.5 cm

Predators of Formosan Subterranean Termite Larvae

Birds, ants, spiders, beetles, mammals

Predators of Adult Formosan Subterranean Termite

Ants, termites of other species, beetles, birds, mammals, reptiles

Interesting Facts About Formosan Subterranean Termite

Members of formosan Subterranean Termite can build intricate mounds that regulate temperature and humidity, creating a self-sustaining microclimate.

Scientific Classification of Formosan Subterranean Termite

Phylum

Arthropods

Class

Bugs

Order

Cockroaches and termites

Family

Subterranean termites

Genus

Subterranean termites

Tips for Finding Formosan Subterranean Termite

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Youth Habitat of Formosan Subterranean Termite

Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Forests and Woodlands, Rotting and Decaying Matter

Habitat Preferences of Formosan Subterranean Termite Through Different Life Stages

The formosan Subterranean Termite nymphs typically reside in the dark, humid environment of their nest's nursery chambers, deep within the wooden structures or underground. Workers are usually found in infested wood or in the soil as they forage for food and maintain the colony, often constructing mud tubes for travel. Soldiers are generally located near the nest's periphery or within mud tubes, stationed to defend against intruders. The alates, or winged reproductives, emerge from the nest during swarm season to mate and establish new colonies, often attracted to light sources.

Are Formosan Subterranean Termite harmful?

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The main harm formosan Subterranean Termite creates is boring into wooden structures, causing economic loss and safety concerns.

Are Formosan Subterranean Termite harmful to humans?

Not being a threat to health. The white ant is free of poison. It does not attack people, spread diseases or cause allergy.

Consuming goods will cause economic loss and potential safety hazards. By drilling into the building structure, the white ants will not only affect household beauty but also harm the house safety. Meanwhile, they will also damage furniture, cables, clothes, books, etc. A mature formosan Subterranean Termite population could consume 400g wood every day, and it could cause severe damage to the building within a few months.

Disturb people's life. Before heavy rain, it is easy to observe a large number of white ants with wings scramble to jump on the light, and many people are fearful of such a scenario. Meanwhile, it increases the housework needed to be handled - to clean up the swarming white ants and fallen wings.

Where do Formosan Subterranean Termite come from?

Entering proactively. The relatively stable temperature, natural shelter, and the wood structures of the indoor spaces in the human habitats are all conducive elements to foster termite survival and breeding, therefore termites are attracted to enter such spaces.

Native habitats destroyed. Human architectures may have destroyed termites' habitats and food sources. To survive, they have to invade humans' houses to bore and feed on the wood structures such as doors, windows, wardrobes, bookshelves, wood floors, etc.

Entering to seek shelter. Under extreme weather (a rainstorm, for example), outdoor termites would enter nearby houses that have lights on to seek shelter or take mating flights.

What is the most effective prevention against Formosan Subterranean Termite?

Block the channel. Each vent should be equipped with a complete protective net. And the gap created by the electrical water pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor should be completely closed.

Avoid using wooden home furnishings. Reduce the dependence on wood when constructing new houses and selecting new furniture. Please choose other materials for construction and decoration.

Pre-treatment on the wooden floor. Before the wooden floor is laid, some lime or insect repellent powder is usually sprayed. The long-term effect usually can last for several years.

Periodically inspect the wooden structure in the house. If wooden articles such as wooden floors and wooden fences appear in a suspicious abnormal state, they should be inspected in time and taken measures.

Keep the house dry. If there is accumulated water in the house and courtyard, it must be removed. Also, the leaky pipe should be repaired and replaced in time.

Keep the drainage ditch open. Dredged blocked drainage ditches in time to avoid water accumulation. When the humidity is not enough for survival, termites will not be attracted to build nests.

Avoid lights on rainy nights. Avoid turning on the lights on rainy nights when termites are in mating flights. The lights will attract a large number of winged termites.

Harmful Effects of Formosan Subterranean Termite

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Structural Pests

Formosan Subterranean Termite is infamous for its ability to cause severe damage to structures, from houses to bridges. Both adults and nymphs feed on cellulose, resulting in weakened wooden structures, damaged cables, and destroyed wallpaper. The detrimental impact on a building's integrity often requires costly repairs and can pose significant safety hazards.

Hurt Plant

As a generalist pest, formosan Subterranean Termite larvae and adults cause severe damage by boring into roots and stems to feed. This activity compromises the structural integrity of plants, leading to wilting, stunted growth, and potentially the death of infested hosts.

More Effects of Formosan Subterranean Termite