Size: |
Eastern subterranean termite swarmers are about 3/8
in (9mm) long, including wings. |
Characteristics: |
Swarmer: Front wing has 2 dark, hardened veins in front part; other
veins are not pigmented, with a few barely visible hairs. Front wing
scale is larger than hind wing scale. Soldier: Head is rectangular
in shape, not narrowed towards front; length is about 1.5 times the
width. Mandibles lack teeth and tips curve inward. |
Color: |
Body is dark brown to almost black. Wings are translucent to slightly
smoky. |
Geographic Range: |
Southern Ontario, Canada south through the eastern United States
and into Texas. |
Comparison with other species: |
Unlike this eastern subterranean species, the western subterranean
termite soldier has a head that is twice as long as broad. Desert
subterranean termite swarmer has wings covered with hairs; body is
pale to brownish yellow: soldier has head rounded on all sides, and
tapered towards the front. Most other termite swarmers in western
states have 3 or more pigmented veins in front wings. |
Habitat: |
Colonies are usually in the ground, below the frost line, and above
the water table and rock. Mud tubes are built to reach food sources.
Secondary colonies can exist above ground if a moisture source, such
as leaky pipes, is present. |
Food: |
Spring wood; the subterranean termite cannot effectively digest
the lignin in summer wood. |
Biology: |
Similar to western subterranean termite. After swarming, a pair
breaks off their wings and burrows into the soil. Here they mate and
the femaile produces only a few eggs the first year, increasing up
to 5,000-10,000 eggs a year when she is mature. The queen can live
for many years, and workers can live 1-2 years. Swarmers are produced
the 3rd or 4th year at the earliest. Swarming occurs in the daytime,
typically during the morning of the day following a warm rain. Spring
is typically when swarming occurs, but it may possibly be followed
by one or more smaller swarms until winter. In the extreme northern
states and Canada, swarmers are rarely seen. |
Invasion: |
Structures are entered through cracks less than 1/16 in (1-2mm)
wide. |
Damage: |
Subterranean termites eat mostly spring wood, leaving the summer
wood, so that damaged wood appears to be layered. Soil is found in
the galleries |
Detection: |
- Presence of swarmers, workers or soldiers.
- Evidence of damage to structure.
- Thorough professional inspection.
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