Largest Termite Species
The mounds are the work of a single species.
Largest termite species. The largest species of this huge order is gauromydas heros which can reach a length of 6 cm 2 1 4 in and a wingspan of 10 cm 3 9 in. There are differences between each termite species. Researchers have discovered a gigantic complex of 200 million termite mounds in northeastern brazil which may be up to 4 000 years old and covers an area about the size of great britain. In doing their jobs they cause the destruction that affects so many homes.
Formosan termites are an invasive termite species. The cone shape mounds are the work of syntermes dirus among the largest termite species at about half an inch long. They are native to asia but were accidentally introduced to the united states sometime around world war ii. The largest termites in the usa are dampwood termites found in the rainy forests of the pacific coast and in southern florida.
These nests are connected via mud tubes to food sources such as trees fence posts and structural timbers in houses. Many of the most severe termite challenges in the u s especially in the southern states result from these termites. The mounds spaced on average about 60 feet apart are spread across an area as. Of the 3 000 termite species currently classified 1 000 are found in africa where mounds are extremely abundant in certain regions.
Subterranean termites which can live in every u s. Feeding grooming excavating the nest and making tunnels. This species is capable of supporting colonies in homes under ideal conditions and do not require access to soil in order to survive. Most of this species that you will see have workers and soldiers which are to 5 8 in length when full grown.
This species lives in the soil and builds the largest nests of any insect in the u s. Syntermes dirus one of the largest termites in the world. The biggest threat to california homes is a specific species of subterranean termites called formosan termites. They do all of the work except defend and reproduce.
Termite species in the u s. The diversity of termite species is low in north america and europe 10 species known in europe and 50 in north america but is high in south america where over 400 species are known. State except alaska are responsible for the majority of termite damage in this country.