Page 27 - Adventures through the World of Entomology

ISOPTERA — or for our purpose, Iso ptera. “Iso” ISOPTERA — or for our purpose, Iso ptera. “Iso”
means equal — as in Isosceles triangle, a triangle means equal — as in Isosceles triangle, a triangle
with two equal sides. Isomorph means something with two equal sides. Isomorph means something
identical to something else in form or structure, and identical to something else in form or structure, and
isotope is any of two or more species of atoms of a isotope is any of two or more species of atoms of a
chemical element with the same atomic number or chemical element with the same atomic number or
position in the periodic table. The word Isoptera position in the periodic table. The word Isoptera
is telling us that the insects belonging to this order is telling us that the insects belonging to this order
have four wings have four wings
CARPENTER ANT WINGS CARPENTER ANT WINGS
of equal length. of equal length.
Members of Photo Courtesy of Univar Members of Photo Courtesy of Univar
this order are the termites. If you examine the wings of a swarmer this order are the termites. If you examine the wings of a swarmer
(alate), you will see that the wings are of equal length as opposed to (alate), you will see that the wings are of equal length as opposed to
the members of the order Hymenoptera who have four wings, but the the members of the order Hymenoptera who have four wings, but the
1 Pair 1 Pair
ST
ST
first pair of wings are much longer than the second pair. first pair of wings are much longer than the second pair.
2 Pair Photo by Stennett Heaton 2 Pair Photo by Stennett Heaton
ND
ND
Courtesy of UNVAR
Courtesy of UNVAR
Pest control service technicians encounter subterranean termites, Pest control service technicians encounter subterranean termites,
drywood termites and dampwood termites. Subterranean termites occur all over the United States. drywood termites and dampwood termites. Subterranean termites occur all over the United States.
Drywood termites occur in parts of Hawaii, California and Florida and along the Gulf Coast areas of Drywood termites occur in parts of Hawaii, California and Florida and along the Gulf Coast areas of
Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, but may be found in any state where a piece of infested Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, but may be found in any state where a piece of infested
wooden furniture has been brought in from one of the above mentioned states. wooden furniture has been brought in from one of the above mentioned states.
Of the subterranean termites, the Formosan termite is by far the most destructive and is the most Of the subterranean termites, the Formosan termite is by far the most destructive and is the most
difficult to control. It is found in Florida, Louisiana, and in parts of the Gulf Coast states, a spot or two difficult to control. It is found in Florida, Louisiana, and in parts of the Gulf Coast states, a spot or two
in Texas, and a spot in southern California. Because of the huge numbers of termites in a Formosan in Texas, and a spot in southern California. Because of the huge numbers of termites in a Formosan
colony, the damage that is done can be more rapid and more extensive than that done by other species of colony, the damage that is done can be more rapid and more extensive than that done by other species of
subterranean termites. subterranean termites.

FORMOSAN TERMITE SOLDIER FORMOSAN TERMITE SOLDIER

-Soldiers defend the -Soldiers defend the
colony with their scissors- colony with their scissors-
like mandibles but are not like mandibles but are not
able to feed themselves, able to feed themselves,
the workers feed them the workers feed them
stomodeally. stomodeally.

Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
There is more structural damage done each year TERMITE MANDIBLES There is more structural damage done each year TERMITE MANDIBLES
in the United States by termites in homes and in the United States by termites in homes and
other buildings than all of the damage done in other buildings than all of the damage done in
a year by floods, hurricanes, tornados, and fires. a year by floods, hurricanes, tornados, and fires.
While termites present a severe economic problem, While termites present a severe economic problem,
I would suppose that the public health problem I would suppose that the public health problem
would be measured by the pain caused to the would be measured by the pain caused to the
wallets of the victims. wallets of the victims.
Photos By Stennett Heaton Photos By Stennett Heaton
Courtesy of Univar Courtesy of Univar

17 17