Details
Coptotermes formosanus
The Formosan subterranean termite is a colony-building termite notorious for rapid wood consumption. Native to southern China, it has become an important structural pest in many warm regions.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It nests in soil, trees, wooden structures, boats and urban infrastructure in warm climates. Populations occur or have been introduced in southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Hawaii and the southern United States.
Workers and soldiers are only several millimetres long, while winged reproductives can exceed 1 cm. Soldiers have pale bodies and rounded heads used in defense.
Colonies contain a queen, king, workers, soldiers and winged reproductives. Extensive underground tunnels connect foraging sites, and mature colonies may contain millions of termites.
Wood, dead trees, paper and other cellulose-rich plant material are eaten. Gut microbes help the insects digest tough plant fibres.
Winged adults swarm and found new colonies. Queens can live for years and lay many eggs, allowing colonies to expand rapidly.
The species can damage buildings and living trees, and established infestations are difficult to eradicate. Moisture control, barriers and professional treatment are central to management.
