The conehead termite, also known as Nasutitermes corniger, is a recent addition to the US. It comes from the family Termitidae. It is the first of its kind to be established here from beyond our borders. This species stands out in Florida because of its unique soldier characteristics and nests. After a careful study, it was found to be the same as another termite species. This means the name has changed to reflect this finding.
Nasutitermes
- Nasutitermes corniger
The most famous conehead termite is Nasutitermes corniger. This species is called “conehead” because its pointed head. The conehead termite, imported to the US in 2001, is found in restricted regions of Broward County, Florida.
Understanding the Conehead Termite: Habits and Damage
The conehead termite is different from many termites. It doesn’t travel underground. It moves on the ground, much like ants, spreading out quickly. These termites make dark brown “mud” tubes to travel. They use these to go from their homes to where they eat. They can also build their own nests on the ground, in trees, or in wooden buildings.
Conehead Termite Habits
Conehead termites don’t dig through the soil like other termites. They walk across the ground. They set up paths from their homes to where they find food. These paths, made of mud, help them stay safe and find food easily. This way of living suits them well, especially in towns and cities.
Conehead Termite Damage
These termites eat a lot and spread fast. They can take over trees and kill them. They also damage houses, furniture, and other wooden things by eating them. Since they can make nests anywhere, they are hard to get rid of.
They are such a big problem because termites already cause a lot of harm. In the US alone, they destroy about $5 billion worth of homes every year. To stop the conehead termites from doing even more damage, quick and good termite control is needed.
Conehead termite species Names: Identification and Biology
The Nasutitermes corniger is also called the conehead termite. It comes from Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies. It was first seen in the United States in Florida in 2001.
This termite soldier is about 5 mm big. It has a cone on its head, which is different from other termites. It also has fewer mouth parts and unique hairs. These features help tell it apart.
Colony of these termites grows very big. Some can have more than a million termites. Their kings and queens can be many too. The whole colony can live for a long time, up to 40 years.
They make tunnels to find food. These tunnels can be over 30 meters long. They eat wood, including the one in houses.
In some colonies, there are many kings and queens. This helps the colony grow big and live long. They are mostly in the Caribbean and have been seen in 42 islands there. They are also found in other places, making a big area of 6,000 km.
To sum up, the conehead termite is a very interesting type. It has its own look and lives in big groups. It has spread a lot and lives for a long time. Knowing about it is important to stop it from harming places where people live. This type of termite is not native to the United States.
Conclusion
The conehead termite, Nasutitermes corniger, is a big problem. It can mess up houses, jobs, and nature. Especially in Florida, it is causing trouble because it has found a new place to live.
It is important to know about this termite to stop it. Because it can live in many places, stopping it is hard. We must know how to find and treat it.
Being ready and knowing how to deal with these termites is key. Early action and smart pest control help a lot. With everyone working together, we can stop them from causing too much harm.
