| Size: |
Western drywood termite swarmers are about 7/16-1/2 in (11-12.5 mm) long, including wings, which are 3/8 in (8.5 mm) or longer. |
| Color: |
Swarmer of western drywood termite: head and pronotum are orange brown, abdomen is dark brown, wing membrane and pigmented veins are blackish. Soldier: head is orange to reddish brown with a whitish eye spot. |
| Characteristics: |
Soldier of western drywood termite: forehead slopes down gradually from top of head, which is flattened to slightly rounded in side view; antenna has 3rd segment which is enlarged and club-like; pronotum is as wide or wider than head as viewed from the top. The western drywood termite produces usually hard pellets, less than 1/32 in (1 mm) long, long, oval shaped with rounded ends, 6 concave sides. |
| Geographic Range: |
Dampwood termites are found in Pacific and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest, and southern Florida. |
| Food: |
Wood. |
| Biology: |
Dampwood termites are not subterranean, and do not require contact with damp ground (except for desert dampwood termites). They do need damp wood, such as that in contact with the ground or constant moisture. They do not usually burrow in soil. Swarming time varies depending on the family. Check locally known species for specific information on swarming time. Swarmers excavate a chamber in wood, enter, seal it off, mate, and the female (queen) lays eggs. There is no worker caste; immatures do the work. |
