Incisitermes minor
| Incisitermes minor | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Isoptera |
| (unranked): | Termitoidae |
| Family: | Kalotermitidae |
| Genus: | Incisitermes |
| Species: | I. minor |
| Binomial name | |
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Incisitermes minor Hagen, 1858 |
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| Synonyms | |
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Kalotermes minor |
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Kalotermes minor
Incisitermes minor is a species of termite in the family Kalotermitidae known commonly as the western drywood termite. It is native to western North America, including the western United States and northern Mexico. It has been found in many other parts of the United States, all the way to the East Coast. It has been reported from Toronto. It has been introduced to Hawaii. It has been noted in China and it is not uncommon in Japan. This is an economically important pest of wooden structures, including houses. In California and Arizona alone its economic impact is estimated to be about $250 million per year.
Within a single colony there are three types of termites, the alates, soldier, and worker. This eusocial species is a dark brown color and has an orange head. The colonies are most active during the spring and summer, preferring to be active in higher temperatures.
There are three types of termites within the colony: the alate (swarmer), the soldier and the worker. Alates have an orange-brown head and pronotum, an 11-12.5 mm long, dark brown abdomen. This is the only caste that leaves the colony, which happens when they seek a mate. If they are successful, they will form the new kings and queens. There are also soldiers, which are large, reddish-brown, and have two teeth visible on the left mandible. They are noted for having a larger third antennal segment. They are 8–12 mm long, and can weigh from 20–25 mg. This eusocial species does not have a normal worker caste. There are “pseudergates” which are false workers characterized by their lack of wing pads, as well as "nymphs" which do possess wing pads. These wing pads allow the nymphs to molt into a soldier or an alate, because they are not sterile. These workers are not the bottom class, meaning they are capable of becoming soldiers and alates. The pseudergates group is also able to change into male or female alates just by molting, which is very different from other insect species.
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