Other Names:
Desert subterranean termite

Origin:
A native species found in the deserts of southern California and Arizona.

Biology:
This is a species of lower desert environments, and it can be very destructive to wooden material within structures or to fences and utility poles outside. It has a much lower requirement for moisture than the other typical subterranean termites, and also feeds on plant material such as dead cactus and other desert plants. Swarms of reproductives occur at night, usually following a rain, and swarming occurs in late spring in Arizona and often in late summer in California.

Pest Identification:
Alates are much lighter in color than the typically black western subterranean species. Both a fontanelle and ocelli are present. The wings are white with brown veins, no hairs are present, and there are two thickened veins that run parallel with each other from the base to the tip near the forward edge of the wings. The antennae have less than 18 segments. Soldiers are similar to other subterranean termites, with head capsules with parallel sides and nearly as long as the rest of the body. The mandibles are slightly longer than other species and they are without any teeth along their inner margins and remain parallel to each other without crossing at the tips.

Pest Control:
Control is primarily by soil applications of residual insecticides, either as pretreatments or as treatment post-construction. Termite bait products may prove to be effective in eliminating underground colonies altogether.

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