Wood-Destroying Insects Flashcards
How many species of termites are considered to be structural pests in the U.S.?
About 20
Termites develop via
gradual metamorphosis
Termite larvae lack
sclerotization (the darkening and hardening of the exoskeleton)
Three castes of termites
workers, soldiers, and reproductives
The most common individuals in a termite colony
workers
Responsible for eating cellulose, building tunnels through soil and wood, tending the nursery, and sharing food
termite workers
All reproductive termites are dependent on
the workers for food and nurture
Termites eat
cellulose (a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls)
Termites harbor special microorganisms in their digestive tracts to digest cellulose called
symbionts (break down cellulose into sugars)
The exchange of nutrition via regurgitation and anal secretions is called
trophallaxis
Trophallaxis makes it possible to manage termites colonies with
baits
What makes soldier termites incapable of obtaining their own food?
their highly specialized fighting jaws
Adult winged reproductives that are capable of becoming primary kings or queens
alates
Genetic evidence suggests that _________ are responsible for founding most new termite colonies
alates
When alates emerge from the nest at the appropriate time of year, they are also called
swarmers
Swarming flights are of interest to both PMPs and their customers because
they act as a warning that termites are active and present
Individuals that develop functional reproductive systems while retaining characteristics of juvenile termites
neotenic
May take over reproduction responsibilities for a termite colony in the event of a death or separation from a primary queen
neotenic reproductives
What type of antennae do termites have?
moniliform (look like a series of beads strung together)
The antennae of termites in North America are never
clubbed or bent
Sterile termites that lack wings and most lack eyes
soldiers
Fighters and defenders of a termite colony
soldiers
Termites which use chemical secretions from a special gland on the head to repel on entangle prey
nasutiform
Have prolonged beaks instead of mandibles
nasute termites
Nasute termites are mostly found in
the tropics, some regions of Florida and Texas
Have smooth mandibles
subterranean termites
Have jagged mandibles
most dampwood and drywood termites
Pronotum is narrower than the head
subterranean termites
Pronotum as wide or wider than the head
most drywood and dampwood termites
A small opening on the top of the head that secretes defensive fluids
fontanelle
Has a pronounced fontanelle on the front part of its head, with two pairs of hairs on each side
Formosan termites
Smooth wings without hairs, and have two heavy veins along the leading edge of the forewing
Eastern subterranean termites
Wings covered with fine hairs that are visible under magnification
Formosan subterranean termites
Often dusky wings that have at least three strong veins along the leading edge of the forewing
Drywood termites
Shortly after their emergence and nuptial flight, the king and queen alates lose
their wings
humeral suture
spot slightly above the point where the termite wings connect to the thorax where king and queen alates wings fall off after their nuptial flight
The three main types of termites in North America
subterranean, drywood, and dampwood
