Area of Distribution: This species prefers the arid and semi-arid regions
of the southwest, from Texas through California and Mexico.
Identification of Swarmers and Soldiers: The swarmers of this species
are dark brown, swarming during the daytime.
Identification of Timber Damage: This species infests wood at or below
ground level in the southwestern United States. It sometimes girdles young
citrus trees and grapevines below the soil line in desert areas. In the
southwest it attacks living trees and bushes and is a problem for citrus
groves. Is a pest of timbers in service, infesting moist timbers that
are in contact with he soil. Untreated posts, poles, and fences are attacked
below ground level.
Biology and Habits: This species does not build mud shelter tubes above
the ground in order to reach wood. This is an unusual dampwood termite
in several respects.
The colonies extend from the wood into the soil, they sometimes kill living
shrubs and trees, frass is cone-shaped rather than cylindrical, and the
termites have a pungent odour. They also have directed trail-following
behaviour, unlike other dampwood termites. |
termite control