Page 80 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

FORMOSAN TERMITE - SOLDIER FORMOSAN TERMITE

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

FORMOSAN TERMITE FORMOSAN TERMITE-NYMPH

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- bead-like segments 6.Thorax-
2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none FORMOSAN TERMITE
3.Head- oval / rounded 8.Abdomen- elongated SOLDIER
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- pale to brown 1
5.Wings- on alates, 2 pair, longer than body 10.Other- soldiers have mandibles 2 8
Life Cycle
Thousands of Formosan Termites will form swarms, usually in the evenings from April 10
through July. These alates are attracted to lights, and then will find a mate. The new
king and queen find crevices in wood to start a new colony. About 20-30 eggs are laid
in chambers they create. In 2-4 weeks, the larvae hatch out and are fed by the king 3
and queen. Formosan Termites have castes—the soldiers, workers, and reproductives. 4
As the colony grows, reproductives lay more of the eggs, workers tend the eggs and
search for food, and soldiers defend the colony. It takes 3-5 years for a colony to reach
the large numbers of termites. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

FORMOSAN TERMITE
Actual size 1/4”
The Formosan Termite is the most destructive type found in the United States. Some people
call it the “super termite” because it has extremely large colonies and can do major amounts of damage
in a relatively short period of time. The termite is native to the Pacific islands, and was most likely
brought back to the U.S. on ships returning from World War II. It infests most of the southeastern
states and has also been found in California.
There can be up to eight million Formosan Termites in a single colony—much larger than any
other termite colony. The tunnels and tubes will branch out up to 300 feet in every direction, searching
for wood to devour. They will eat anything containing cellulose—plants, lumber and wood products,
cardboard and paper, etc. They have been known to chew through foam, some thin metals, plaster,
and even asphalt to reach food.
Formosan Termites look just like any other subterranean termite, with the exception of the
soldiers. They have a large, dark mandible (jaw) which can cross and form an “x”. Despite their fierce
appearance, their bite is harmless to humans. A colony of Formosan Termites will contain a larger
number of soldiers than other types of termites.
The actual nests (called a “carton” after the hard chew-up material from which they are made) grow
quite large and have a rock-like appearance. They must be located near a source of moisture—
plumbing or roof leaks, watered plants and landscaping, air conditioning condensation, areas where
puddles form, etc. They can be located in attics, walls, trees, or even underground.

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