Formosan Subterranean Termite

Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, a member of the family Rhinotermitidae, is a highly destructive subterranean termite. Alates are pale yellow to yellowish-brown, approximately 12-15 mm long with wings. Soldiers have an oval, yellowish-brown head, prominent mandibles, and a fontanelle capable of expelling a defensive secretion. Workers are cream-colored and soft-bodied. A colony can number in the millions, producing extensive carton nests within structures and consuming upwards of 13 pounds of wood per year. Reproductive swarms typically occur from April to July in the evening hours.

Formosan subterranean termites are cryptic, primarily foraging in soil or within wood, making their presence difficult to detect until damage is significant. They construct exploratory foraging tunnels, often referred to as mud tubes, which protect them from desiccation and predators. These termites are highly resilient and capable of exploiting a wide array of cellulose sources, showing a polyphagous feeding strategy. Colony expansion can occur through primary reproductives or through budding, where portions of the colony with secondary reproductives establish new foraging territories.