Size: |
Dampwood termite nymphs are up to 3/4 in (20mm) long,
swarmers up to 1 in (25mm) long. |
Characteristics: |
The dampwood termites in these three families vary in appearance,
but are in the same habitat group. Most of these species are larger
than the eastern/western/subterranean termites. |
Pellets: |
Pellets are about 1/32 in (1 mm) long, the color of the wood being
eaten. They have a long oval shape, like those of drywood termites
but with the six sides flattened. However, they may be round or sphere
shaped if the wood is very moist. Pellets of the desert dampwood termite
are cone shaped.
|
Geographic Range: |
Dampwood termites are found in Pacific and adjacent states, the
desert or semi-arid southwest, and southern Florida. |
Comparison with other species: |
The three families that represent this dampwood termite habitat
group contain species of varying appearance. Almost all of them are
larger than the eastern/western/desert subterranean termites, nymphs
being up to 3/4 in (20mm) long, and swarmers up to 1 in (25 mm) long
including wings. |
Habitat: |
Termites are wood destroying insects that live in damp, sometimes
decaying, wood, such as logs, stumps, and dead trees that are still
standing. One species is found in the dead limbs of living trees.
Dampwood termites move into buildings where wood is in contact with
the ground, or where there is a leaky pipe or other source of continual
moisture. |
Food: |
Dampwood termites eat 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. |
Invasion: |
From decaying wood outdoors, during swarming time. |
Damage: |
Dampwood termites eat across the grain of wood, through both spring
and summer wood, making chambers and galleries, and the tunnels which
connect them. The walls are smooth and the galleries free of soil,
except that in moist conditions droppings may stick to the gallery
walls. In dry conditions the droppings accumulate at the bottom or
are expelled. Pellets are used to seal off galleries. |
