Welcome to the Order Isoptera page, also known as Termites!
Information about Isoptera in general:
- Social Insects with reproductives(alates), workers(nymph) and soldiers.
- Soldiers have a large, dark, usually elongated head with pincers (soldiers of some genera have a short head).
- Only Reproductives(known as swarmers because they try to leave the colony) have wings.
- Termites are not ants, ants are a predator to termites!
- Soft bodied with a hard head and workers are usually pale.
- Commonly one king and queen for a colony (but are very rare to actually find).
- Swarm most commonly in the spring or late summer (depending on species).
- Primary food source is wood (cellulose in particular), including books.
Isoptera identified and listed in alphabetical order by family name.
- Order: Isoptera
- Family: Reticulotermes
- Common Name: Subterranean Termites
- Key Characteristics: Smallest termites in CA, live underground, Fall and Spring winged swarmers.
- Pest Status: Most destructive termite in California.
- Diet: Wood
- Habitat: Burrow in tunnels underground searching for wood that is in the ground.
- Life Stages: Egg, worker, reproductive or soldier.
- Distribution: sub areas and wood that is in contact with soil.
- Location Homeowner Found:Enter where homeowner found pest.
- Order: Isoptera
- Family: Incisitermes
- Common Name: Drywood Termites
- Key Characteristics: Less than 1cm long, live in dry wood, Fall and Spring winged swarmers.
- Pest Status: Second most destructive termite in California.
- Diet: Wood
- Habitat: Dry wood, swarmers usually enter into the upper levels of structures.
- Life Stages: Egg, worker, reproductive or soldier.
- Distribution: all throughout wood in homes.
- Location Homeowner Found:Enter where homeowner found pest.
