Damp-wood termite
Damp-wood termites are a group of insects known for their dietary preference for wet, rotten wood, and they are found globally in various environments. With over 200 species, such as the Arizona, Nevada, and Pacific damp-wood termites, these insects typically live in smaller colonies compared to other termite types, such as dry-wood termites. Damp-wood termites are characterized by their larger size, with winged swarmers reaching up to 1 inch in length and soldier termites around 3/4 inch. Their colonies operate under a caste system, which includes reproductive, worker, and soldier roles, each with specific functions that contribute to the colony's survival. The queen termite, significantly larger than the others, is responsible for laying up to 30,000 eggs daily and produces chemicals that influence the caste development of the young. While damp-wood termites are generally less destructive, they can pose risks to damp wooden structures and crops, particularly in areas with moisture issues. Their nests consist of intricate tunnels and chambers, showcasing their complex social structure and adaptability.
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Damp-wood termite
Damp-wood termites were given the name damp-wood, for the kinds of materials they eat and the places where they build their homes. Damp-wood termites are found globally, nesting and feeding inside wet, rotten wood. There are over 200 species of damp-wood termites that have been known to destroy crops and buildings, but these termites are the least destructive group.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Blattodea
Family: Archotermopsidae
Genus: Zootermopsis
Species: Various (see below)
Damp-wood termites are larger compared to dry-wood termites but live in smaller colonies. Damp-wood termites get their names from the wood they eat. Some common examples include the Arizona damp-wood termite (Zootermopsis laticeps), the Nevada damp-wood termite (Zootermopsis nevadensis), and the Pacific damp-wood termite (Zootermopsis angusticollis).
The small, light brown swarmer or winged termites may reach 1 inch (25 millimeters) long, while soldier termites are 3/4 inch (20 millimeters). These small insects live in colonies ranging from a few hundred to several million termites. A queen and king damp-wood termite lead each colony. Queen termites are the mothers of their colonies. They begin their lives as reproductive damp-wood termites, leave their first colonies, and set out to mate and form their own colonies. Because of this, the queens are much larger than other termites. Swollen with eggs and unable to move, they may reach lengths up to 5 1/2 inches (14 centimeters).
Damp-wood termites are found in most parts of the world. They use their large heads and pincers called mandibles to feed inside wet, rotten wood. Their nests are constructed with thousands of tunnels, chambers, and passageways where the damp-wood termites work and live. Although damp-wood termites are generally found in nature, their nests may be found in wet crop fields and damp wooden beams in homes and offices. Houses with leaking plumbing or a leaky roof may also become home to damp-wood termites.
Within large colonies of damp-wood termites, each termite holds a certain position within the termite social system. This process of having strictly defined societal roles is known as a caste system. In the caste system of a damp-wood termite colony, termites may belong to the reproductive, worker, or soldier caste. Nymph termites serve as worker termites and are around 5/8 inch (1 1/2 centimeter) long. Termites of each caste spend their lives in that caste. Members of the reproductive caste leave the nest to mate and form colonies of their own. In this process, they become king and queen termites. Members of the worker caste care for the queen, raise the young, and find food for the colony. Members of the soldier caste protect the colony from attacks by predators like centipedes, spiders, and army ants. Some mammals, such as aardvarks and anteaters, also attack damp-wood termite colonies, but the soldier termites have no protection from such invaders.
The queen termite determines the caste of each termite. While producing eggs, the queen also produces special chemicals which determine castes. The workers swallow these chemicals as they groom the queen. They then pass these chemicals on to the young termites during feeding. In this way, the queen controls how many workers, reproductives, and soldiers are added to the colony with each new set of young. A single queen termite may produce as many as 30,000 eggs each day.
Termites can have extremely long life spans. A colony’s king and queen termites may live for more than 10 years.
Bibliography
"Dampwood Termites." San Francisco Zoo, www.sfzoo.org/dampwood-termites. Accessed 5 Apr. 2024.
Pine, Lydian. "Dampwood Termites: How to Identify and Get Rid of Them." Pest Gnome, 28 Feb. 2024, pestgnome.com/blog/termite-control/dampwood-termites. Accessed 5 Apr. 2024.