common names: Cuban subterranean termite (proposed common name); Florida dampwood termite (old unofficial name)
scientific name: Prorhinotermes simplex (Hagen) (Insecta: Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Introduction
Prorhinotermes is a tropical genus of some 20 species with the greatest diversity in Southeast Asia.
Three species of Prorhinotermes occur in the New World including Prorhinotermes simplex
(Hagen). This species is endemic to and known only from southeastern Florida, western Cuba,
Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Species of Prorhinotermes generally live in or near coastal habitats and on
islands.
Over the years, common names of some of Florida's termites have lead to confusion. The old unofficial
common name for P. simplex, "Florida dampwood termite", is now designated as a collective name for
three species of Neotermes (Family Kalotermitidae) found in central and southern Florida. Although
P. simplex does not forage in or above the soil as frequently or as extensively as other species of
subterranean termites in Florida, it is a true subterranean termite that tends to locate nests in dead logs
and stumps. Neotermes spp., on the other hand, are truly restricted to wood that has a high moisture
content. Neotermes spp. do not forage in the soil nor do they build above-ground foraging or flight
tubes.
Prorhinotermes simplex is found in subtropical woodlands, mangroves, and urban settings on the
southeast coast of Florida from the Florida Keys northward to the island of Palm Beach. In Dade and
Broward Counties, colonies of P. simplex have been collected as far inland as 7 miles and often in
areas near waterways, rivers, and canals containing either fresh, brackish, or salt water.
distribution
Colonies of P. simplex, like other subterranean termites, consist of three primary castes: the
reproductives (king, queen, and unmated winged forms called alates), soldiers, and workers. Multiple
ergatoid (worker-like) reproductives have been observed in P. simplex colonies.
castes
Soldiers of P. simplex can be mistaken for Coptotermes spp. because of their similar sizes and ovoid head capsules when viewed from above. Species of Prorhinotermes can be differentiated from
Coptotermes by the size and position of the fontanelle, an opening in the head. In Prorhinotermes, the fontanelle is minute and opens to the dorsal surface. In Coptotermes, the fontanelle is large and opens forward above the mouth parts.
soldier head capsules
The alate is the caste most likely to be encountered by homeowners or pest management professionals.
The body is reddish-brown and similar in size (length with wings 8.5-10.5 mm) to the West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis
(Walker). Unlike drywood termites, however, the fore wing of P. simplex has two unbranched veins
in the leading (costal) margin of the wing. The P. simplex fore wing also differs from other
subterranean termites in Florida in that it is broad in the middle due to the high arch in the costal margin.
It also lacks a median vein thus leaving only a single branched vein, the cubitus, below the costal
margin.
P. simplex fore wing
The biology of P. simplex is not well known although it likely follows that of other subterranean
termites. Some research on P. simplex has focused on the unique chemistry of the soldiers' defensive
secretion. The clear secretion, emitted from the fontanelle, contains small quantities of nitroolefins that
are toxic to ants and to other termites. These secretions differ from the large quantities of sticky and
milky, but largly nontoxic, mucopolysaccharides found in some Coptotermes spp.
Flight records in southeast Florida range from September to February with peak activity in November
and December. Flights occur at dusk or at night and, like most nocturnal flying insects, the alates are
attracted to lights and video displays.
The limited habitat area and low density of P. simplex colonies relegate these termites to minor pest
status. Structural damage is usually limited to wood in contact with or near soil. Most colonies will be
centered in stumps and logs that, when hollowed, are filled with a damp, hard nest material called
carton. The greatest likelihood of nuisance reports with P. simplex occurs during dispersal flights when
indoor flight tubes and fecal spotting are constructed before alates emerge.
carton material
flight tube
Because of their limited foraging range, P. simplex can be controlled using residual chemicals within
wall voids where flight tubes appear and around the foundation nearest to indoor activity. Although
there is no reason termite baits should not be effective, there are no data to support the use of baits on
P. simplex.
- Fasulo TR. (2002). Eastern Subterranean Termite and Wood-destroying Insects. Bug Tutorials. University of Florida/IFAS. CD-ROM. SW 158.
- Miller EM. 1949. A handbook on Florida termites. University of Miami Press, Coral Gables. 30 pp.
- Scheffrahn RH, Su N-Y. 1994. Keys to soldier and winged adult termites (Isoptera) of Florida.
Florida Entomologist 77: 460-474.
- Scheffrahn RH, Su N-Y. Key to termite soldiers of Florida. Ft. Lauderdale Research Report 96-2.
- Scheffrahn RH, Su N-Y. Key to winged termites of Florida. Ft. Lauderdale Research Report 96-3.
Authors: Rudolf H. Scheffrahn; Nan-Yao Su, Brian Cabrera, and William Kern Jr.
Photographs and illustrations: Rudolf H. Scheffrahn
Project Coordinator: Thomas R.
Fasulo
Publication number: EENY-282
Publication date: January 2003. Latest revison: November 2007.
Copyright 2003-2007 University of Florida
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