Drywood-termite
Guides
Calcaritermes nearcticus
Calcaritermes nearcticus is a species of drywood termite in the family Kalotermitidae. It is native to North America and was first described by Snyder in 1933 as Kalotermes nearcticus before being transferred to the genus Calcaritermes. As a member of Kalotermitidae, it is a lower termite that lacks a true worker caste, with tasks performed by pseudergates. The species is rarely encountered and poorly documented in scientific literature.
Cryptotermes
drywood termites
Cryptotermes is a genus of drywood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, comprising approximately 70 described species with significant economic importance as structural pests. Unlike subterranean termites, species in this genus do not require soil contact and infest dry, seasoned wood directly. The genus has a global distribution spanning tropical and subtropical regions, with notable pest species including C. brevis (West Indian drywood termite) and C. dudleyi. Some species exhibit distinctive morphological adaptations, such as the recently described C. mobydicki with its elongated, whale-like soldier head.
Cryptotermes brevis
West Indian drywood termite, powderpost termite
Cryptotermes brevis is a drywood termite in the family Kalotermitidae. Unlike subterranean termites, it does not require soil contact and can complete its entire life cycle within dry wood. The species is a significant invasive pest, having been anthropogenically dispersed from its probable Neotropical origin to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It infests structural timbers, furniture, and wooden objects, causing substantial economic damage. Colonies remain entirely within infested wood pieces, making detection difficult until damage is advanced.
Cryptotermes cavifrons
Florida Drywood Termite
Cryptotermes cavifrons is a drywood termite native to North America, commonly known as the Florida Drywood Termite. It constructs one-piece nests entirely within dry, solid wood, where the colony lives and feeds without foraging outside. The species exhibits very low cuticular and nest microbial loads compared to dampwood termites, reflecting its arid nesting environment.
Incisitermes minor
Western Drywood Termite
Incisitermes minor, commonly known as the western drywood termite, is a drywood termite species in the family Kalotermitidae. Native to western North America, it has become established across much of the United States and has been introduced to Hawaii, China, and Japan. It is a significant structural pest, ranking as the second most destructive termite in California after the western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus), with estimated annual economic impact of approximately $250 million in California and Arizona combined. The species forms one-piece nests entirely within dry wood, does not require soil contact, and exhibits temperature-driven seasonal and daily activity patterns.
Incisitermes schwarzi
Schwarz's Drywood Termite
Incisitermes schwarzi is a drywood termite species in the family Kalotermitidae, commonly known as Schwarz's Drywood Termite. It inhabits dry, dead wood in intact branches and exhibits a one-piece nesting ecology where colonies remain within their food source. Colonies are relatively small, typically containing 50–250 individuals with mixed developmental stages. The species shows strong social disease resistance mechanisms, with grouped individuals significantly more resistant to fungal infection than isolated ones.
Kalotermes approximatus
Dark Southern Drywood Termite
Kalotermes approximatus is a drywood termite in the family Kalotermitidae, commonly known as the dark southern drywood termite. The species is classified as an uncommon structural pest that infests wooden structures and trees without requiring soil contact. It is distributed across the southeastern United States from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas, and plays a role as a decomposer of dead wood and woody debris in natural ecosystems.
Marginitermes hubbardi
light western drywood termite
Marginitermes hubbardi, commonly called the light western drywood termite, is a drywood termite species in the family Kalotermitidae. It is distinguished from the sympatric Incisitermes minor by its notably paler winged reproductives. The species is native to arid regions of southwestern North America and Central America, where it colonizes dry wood including living trees, dead cacti, and human structures. Unlike dampwood or subterranean termites, it does not require soil contact or high moisture levels to establish colonies.
Neotermes jouteli
Joutel's drywood termite
Neotermes jouteli is a large Neotropical drywood termite native to South Florida and the West Indies. It is the largest termite species in Florida, with soldiers reaching 13.35 mm and winged alates approximately 16.05 mm. The species is notable for its distinctive deeply depressed, rugose frons in the imago stage.