common name: eastern subterranean termite
scientific name: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

common name: a native subterranean termite
scientific name: Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

common name: a native subterranean termite
scientific name: Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Introduction - Description and Identification - Life History - Damage - Pest Status - Management - Selected References

Introduction (Back to Top)

Most pest species of subterranean termites in North America belong to the endemic genus Reticulitermes. Reticulitermes species are found in every state in the continental United States except Alaska, but are most common in the warm and humid southeastern region. The eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) is the most widely distributed and is found in the entire eastern region of North America as far north as Ontario, Canada, and south to Key Largo, Florida. Its counterpart, the western subterranean termite, Reticulitermes hesperus Banks, is found along the entire Pacific Coast ranging from southern California to British Columbia. Reticulitermes tibialis Banks occurs in the inter-mountain region of the West. In addition to Reticulitermes flavipes, two other Reticulitermes occur in Florida, Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), and Reticulitermes hageni Banks.

Figure 1. Indoor swarm of eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Photograph by T. Myles, University of Toronto.

Description and Identification (Back to Top)

Because of their cryptic nature, structural infestations of subterranean termites are usually not visible. Most people become aware of an infestation when annual flights of winged termites (called alates) occur in structures. The alates of Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes virginicus are dark brown, while those of Reticulitermes hageni are yellowish brown. Alates of Reticulitermes flavipes are generally larger (approximately 0.4" long including wings) than those of Reticulitermes virginicus or Reticulitermes hageni (approximately 0.3" long). Alate wings of Reticulitermes species have two hardened and thickened veins that are visible along the entire front end, but lack the small hairs that are characteristic of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. After indoor flights, most alates are found dead near windows or in sinks and bath tubs - usually with their wings still attached.

Figure 2. Alates of eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (R.f.), and other native subterranean termites, Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) (R.v.) and Reticulitermes hageni Banks (R.h.). Photograph by Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, University of Florida.

Figure 3. Wing of Reticulitermes, a subterranean termite genus. Photograph by Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, University of Florida.

As with other termite species, Reticulitermes colonies contain three primary castes; the reproductives (king, queen, alates, alate nymphs, and supplementary reproductives), soldiers, and workers. Alates and soldiers are used for species identification.

Figure 4. Life cycle of Reticulitermes subterranean species. Graphic by Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, University of Florida.

Figure 5. Queen (bottom) and soldier (top) castes of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Figure 6. Queen (top) and worker (bottom) castes of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Figure 7. Queen (bottom) and soldier (top) castes of Reticulitermes hageni Banks, a U.S. native subterranean termite, surrounded by larvae. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Figure 8. King caste of Reticulitermes hageni Banks, a U.S. native subterranean termite. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Soldiers of subterranean termites (Rhinotermitidae) are distinguished from those of drywood or dampwood termites (Kalotermitidae) by their smaller size and the relative width of the pronotum. In subterranean termites, the pronotum (segment immediately behind the head) is narrower than the head, while in kalotermidis they are equally as wide. Reticulitermes soldiers are further distinguished from those of Coptotermes formosanus by the rectangular-shaped head of the former compared to the oval-shaped head of the latter.

Figure 9. Soldier heads of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (C.f.), and eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (R.f.). Photograph by Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, University of Florida.

Figure 10. Soldier caste of Reticulitermes hageni Banks, a U.S. native subterranean termite. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Subterranean termites form a network of interconnected feeding sites beneath or above the soil surface. A single colony of subterranean termites, especially those of Reticulitermes flavipes, may contain 100,000 - 1,000,000 termites and forage up to 150 feet in search of food (Su et al. 1993). When subterranean termites search for food aboveground, they may enter a house through small cracks or joints in the foundation, or by building shelter tubes along the foundation wall. These tubes are highways connecting the underground termite population with aboveground food sources.

Figure 11. Shelter tubes of Reticulitermes, a subterranean termite genus. Photograph by Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, University of Florida.

Life History (Back to Top)

Flight seasons differ among the three Reticulitermes species in Florida. Reticulitermes hageni alate flights begin in early December and last until early February while Reticulitermes flavipes flights start in early January and end in April. Dispersal flights of Reticulitermes virginicus occur between early February and late May. Swarming by Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes virginicus occurs during warm, sunny and windless afternoons usually after rain, while Reticulitermes hageni alates swarm at night.

Figure 12. Flight seasons of the three Reticulitermes species in Florida. Graphic by Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, University of Florida.

Figure 13. Swarm of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Figure 14. Young alate of Reticulitermes hageni Banks, a U.S. native subterranean termite. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

After a brief flight, alates drop to the ground and shed their wings. Females begin to search for potential nesting sites such as moist crevices with wood, and males follow closely behind. The pair forms a royal chamber in a moist site near wood and begin laying eggs, thus starting the life cycle of a subterranean termite colony. Individuals hatched from eggs (called larvae) molt into workers. Some workers may molt into the soldier caste or become alates by molting first into alate nymphs. Some workers or nymphs are capable of becoming supplementary reproductives and take over the role of queen or king if and when a primary reproductive dies or is isolated from part of the colony. It may take five to 10 years for a single pair of alates to form a mature colony that produces alates.

Figure 15. Eggs and larvae of Reticulitermes hageni Banks, a U.S. native subterranean termite. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Damage (Back to Top)

Because termites consume cellulose, the main structural components of plant cells, any wood material in a house is a potential food source, but they may also damage non-wood material in search of food. Termites rarely show themselves in the open, and infestations can be difficult to detect until damage becomes severe. In addition to the presence of alates and shelter tubes, wood material can be probed with a screw driver or ice pick to locate infested wood. The surface of severely damaged wood may appear blistered or peeling, as termites hollow out the wood leaving a paper-thin surface. Reticulitermes tend to cover the wood they feed upon with soil, thus giving wood a more "dirty" appearance than Coptotermes formosanus-infested wood. However, it is not advisable to identify the termite species based solely on damage as there are many exceptions.

Figure 16. Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), a U.S. native subterranean termite, feeding in broccoli. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Pest Status (Back to Top)

Previously, Reticulitermes flavipes was considered the most common subterranean termite pest of Florida, but our survey indicated that Reticulitermes virginicus is found almost as frequently in structures as Reticulitermes flavipes (Scheffrahn et al. 1988). It is less common to find Reticulitermes hageni infestations. Of the $2.2 billion annually spent for termite control in the United States, subterranean termites account for 80% share, and the majority of this is probably due to Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes virginicus, and Coptotermes formosanus (Rust and Su 2012)

Management (Back to Top)

Preventive practice: Because subterranean termites forage in soil, it is important to keep structural lumber from direct contact with soil. Keeping the lower foundation walls and siding clear of vegetation or mulch makes it easier to inspect for termite shelter tubes. Subterranean termites need moisture for survival. Leaky plumbing, air conditioning condensate, and any portion of a building and its perimeter that collects excessive amounts of moisture should be corrected to maintain an environment less attractive to subterranean termites.

Soil termiticide barriers: Spraying the soil beneath the foundation with liquid insecticides has been the traditional method for subterranean termite control. The objective is to place a chemical barrier between termites and the structure to be protected. Before the foundation is poured, soil termiticides are applied onto sub-slab soil to form a horizontal barrier. A vertical barrier is applied around the perimeter after the foundation is poured. This pre-construction treatment is mandatory in many of the United States. Post-construction treatment consists of drilling holes through slabs and injecting insecticides under the foundation and by drenching trenches dug along building foundations. Currently available termiticides include permethrin (Dragnet® FT, etc.), cypermethrin (Demon® TC, etc.), bifenthrin (Biflex® FT, etc.), imidacloprid (Premise®, etc.), chlorfenapyr (Phantom®), chlorantraniliprole (Altriset®), and fipronil (Termidor®, etc.). Pyrethroids such as permethrin, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, and fenvalerate repel termites from treatment barriers, while other termiticides prevent termite invasion by lethal contact.

Physical barriers: Mirroring the safety concerns of some soil termiticide barriers, two physical barrier types, uniform-sized particles and stainless steel screening, have been employed as non-chemical controls in recent years. When used as continuous horizontal barriers installed during pre-construction installation, these physical barriers withstood intensive foraging activities of several termite species under field conditions (Su and Scheffrahn 1992, Lenz and Runko 1994). These non-chemical barriers are semi-permanent and can be readily installed during construction. Their physical presence, as opposed to the less visible chemical barriers, also provides ease for verification by regulatory inspectors.

Population control using baits: Because a subterranean termite colony may contain 100,000 to 1,000,000 termites that forage up 150ft, the soil termiticide application may not impact the overall colony population. In recent years, baits have become available for population control of subterranean termites. One such approach is the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System that incorporates a durable bait Recruit® HD. Recruit® HD contains a chitin synthesis inhibitor, noviflumuron that discrupts termite molting process. Termites feeding in the stations carry baits to other members of their colony, leading to the demise of the entire colony population. Recruit® HD is weather-resistant, and can be installed in the station without an on-site monitoring for up to 12 months. Because the noviflumuron bait is used throughout, it is referred to as the always active technology.

Numerous field studies with chitin synthesys inhibitor baits have demonstrated that baited colonies of subterranean termites were eliminated (Su and Scheffrahn 1998; Grace and Su 2001, Su 2019). Other baits (active ingredients) currently available include Advance® (diflubenzuron), Shatter® (hexaflumuron), Isopthor® (diflubenzuron), Trelona® (novaluron), and Terminate® (hexaflumuron). With the exception of Terminate® that can be purchased by individual homeowners, all baits are applied by trained pest control professionals. The efficacy and claims of these commercial bait products differ from one another, thus it is prudent to read the fine print and ask questions.

Selected References (Back to Top)

• Grace J K, Su N-Y. 2001. Evidence supporting the use of termite baiting systems for long-term structural protection. Sociobiology 37: 301-310.
• Lenz M, Runko S. 1994. Protection of buildings, other structures and materials in ground contact from attack by subterranean termites (Isoptera) with a physical barrier - a fine mesh of high-grade stainless steel. Sociobiology 24: 1-16.
• Rust M, Su N-Y. 2012. Managing social insects of urban importance. Annual Review of Entomology 57: 355-75. (doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120710-100634)
• Scheffrahn RH, Mangold JR, Su N-Y. 1988. A survey of structure-infesting termites of peninsular Florida. Florida Entomologist 71: 615-630.
• Su N-Y, Scheffrahn RH. 1992. Penetration of sized-particle barriers by field populations of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 85: 2275-2278.
  
• Su N-Y. 2019. Developement of baits for management of subterranean termites. Annual Review of Entomology 64: 115-130. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-011118112429.
• Su N-Y, Ban PM, Scheffrahn, RH. 1993. Foraging populations and territories of the eastern subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in southeastern Florida. Environmental Entomology 22: 1113-1117.