Types of Termites and there Attributes

Termites are social insects and live in colonies which are usually located in ground or in wood. Most termites feed on cellulose from wood and wood by-products such as paper; some tropical species feed on fungi, lichens etc.
Termites are usually divided into 3 groups based on the location of there colony; the Subterranean , the Drywood and the Dampwood termites. The biology and habitat of each group are different, so a detailed knowledge of each is necessary for effective control.

1. Technical Training For Team Conducted by Manish Ravindra Jadhav Entomologist Conducted on 21/04/2016 Training Topic Types of Termites and there Attributes Training No First (1) Points to be Covered Introduction of Flies Types of Flies Difference between Male & Female Flies Behavior of Flies IPM Measures for Flies management

2. Introduction Termites are social insects and live in colonies which are usually located in ground or in wood. Most termites feed on cellulose from wood and wood by-products such as paper; some tropical species feed on fungi, lichens etc. Termites are usually divided into 3 groups based on the location of there colony; the Subterranean , the Drywood and the Dampwood termites. The biology and habitat of each group are different, so a detailed knowledge of each is necessary for effective control. Recognition : Workers : Creamy white except with head slightly darker. No compound eyes or ocelli present. Wing absent. Soldiers : Creamy white except for dark and much enlarged head. With large pair of mandibles except for nasutiform soldiers which lacks mandibles and have head prolonged into a distinct snout. Wing absent Swarmers : Pale yellowish to reddish brown to black, depending on the species. Two pairs of wing nearly equal in length and width, which lie flat aver the abdomen when not in use. Wings almost clear to smoky black.

3. Types of Termites Type of Termites Scientific Name Dampwood termites Zootermopsis angusticollis Southeastern Drywood termites Incisitermes snyderi Western Drywood termites Incisitermes minor Desert subterranean termites Heteroterms aureus

4. Dampwood termites ( Zootermopsis angusticollis) Winged Termites Soldier, workers and Nymphs

5. Habitat -: As there name implies, Dampwood termites located their colonies in damp, sometimes decaying wood. Representatives of 2 termite families are included in this distinct habitat group. These termites vary in appearance from family to family . Dampwood termites eat across the grain, consuming both spring and summer wood. They make series of galleries even there is no soil in the galleries, but if conditions are extremely damp, the fecal pallets will stick to the gallery walls form clumps or paste. Dampwood termites are typically found in logs, stumps and old standing dead trees. They also will attack poles, pilings and fence posts. They prefer to attack damp and decaying wood but will move into sounder wood as long as the connection to high moisture is maintained. From these places they move into structures, especially where wood is in contact with the ground or there is a constant moisture supply such as leaky pipes. Dampwood termites eat across the grains, consuming both spring and summer wood. In so doing, they make series of chambers connected by tunnels whose wall are smooth as if finally sandpapered.

6. Southeastern Drywood termites ( Incisitermes snyderi )

7. Habitat -: Their colonies are located in the wood they eat and are of small size when compared to subterranean termite colonies, usually numbering about 3000 individuals after 15 years. There is no worker caste and the nymphs perform all tasks typically done by worker. Swarming takes place at night, peaking between 8 to 10pm, with swarmer attracted to light. Swarming occurs primarily from March to Mid-August, peaking from late May through Mid-June. Swarming southeastern Drywood termites fly to structures and infest wood directly. They typically first infest exposed wood such as window frames, trim, fascia boards, eaves, siding, etc., and later may move into attics. These termites are often distributed by human activity, commonly by transporting infested furniture, pictures frames and wood to new areas. However they have not become established outside of their normal southeastern and mostly coastal range.

8. Western Drywood termites ( Incisitermes minor )

9. Habitat -: Swarming Drywood termites fly into structures and infest wood directly. When swarming, they often reinfest the same structure. They typically first infest exposed wood such as window frames, trim, eaves, attics etc. They do so by finding Swarming takes place at night, peaking between 8 to 10pm, with swarmer attracted to light. Swarming occurs primarily from March to Mid-August, peaking from late May through Mid-June. Swarming southeastern Drywood termites fly to structures and infest wood directly. They typically first infest exposed wood such as window frames, trim, fascia boards, eaves, siding, etc., and later may move into attics. These termites are often distributed by human activity, commonly by transporting infested furniture, pictures frames and wood to new areas. However they have not become established outside of their normal southeastern and mostly coastal range.

10. Desert subterranean termites ( Heteroterms aureus )

11. Habitat -: The colonies are typically located in the desert soil. They readily build mud tubes to transvers impenetrable material or adverse condition to reach wood . Their tubes are smaller, more solidly built, lighter in color and more circular in cross section . Desert subterranean termites require a hole of only about 1mm in diameter for access. These termites are often attracted to the thermal shadow provide areas of soil with cooler temperature. Foraging is greater during the summer rainy season, but they tend to forage year round in areas of denser vegetation. Such areas provide higher moisture, lower temperature and food supply . This species is apparently less dependent on moisture and decay. It readily attacks dry, sound wood. A typical sign of infestation is the presence of drop tubes coming from the ceiling rafter and sheetrock and holes in the sheetrock plugged with faces.

12. Confusing identifications of termite infestation Eastern Subterranean Termites Drywood Termites Dampwood Termites

13. Life Cycle of Termites

14. B) Pre Construction Termite Management -: Physical barriers – They are constructed from durable termite resistant materials including Galvanized Iron , Zincanneal Steel, Sheet Cooper, Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel Mesh, Aluminium Alloy, Graded Crushed Rock . Treated lightweight materials such as timber can be used as a physical termite barrier. Physical termite barriers are best suited for new buildings by deterring termite entry and preventing the spread of termite activity. Chemical barriers – They are suitable for new and existing buildings but care must be taken when choosing an environmentally friendly chemical barrier. There are a number of environmentally safe chemical barriers available. Chemicals must be enclosed or impregnated and must not affect the air quality of the home. If a chemical barrier treatment method is selected, please ensure that it is nonhazardous and does not pose a threat to persons, animals or vegetation . Baiting systems – These concentrate termites into a bait station and then feed the termite a bait palatable food containing an active ingredient. The termites collect the bait, return it the colony, and so spread the active ingredient throughout the colony. If enough active ingredient is ingested, then it is possible to eliminate the colony. Baiting systems can be installed at the time of construction or at the time of the inspection of a house, acting as a continuous monitoring system. IPM Management for Termites

15. B) Post Construction Termite Management -: Careful inspection is needed to detect and delimit termite damage and colonies, in order to make best use of localized treatments, especially for drywood termites. Nonchemical tactics such as wood replacement, heat, electrocution, and the use of desiccants should be considered before pesticides . These may be especially useful against drywood termites. Barrier applications of insecticides may be made around structural perimeters by professional applicators through trenching, drilling or rodding . Examples include pyrethroids, as well as newer non-repellent insecticides such as Fipronil, chlorantraniliprole, and imidacloprid. Injections of insecticidal liquids, dusts or foams may be made directly to drywood termite galleries or sometimes to shelter tubes of subterranean termites. Desiccants, oils, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, fipronil, and many other active ingredients may be used. Whole-structure fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride may sometimes be necessary when drywood termite infestation and damage are widespread. Bait station systems can be effective in some cases, but may take several months or even years to control the problem and must be followed up with constant monitoring.

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