Origin:
Native to the United States and found only in Florida, where there are 3 species in the genus Neotermes. N. castaneus has the greatest range in Florida and is common in subtropical habitats in woodlands as well as urban areas.
Biology:
These termites get their name from the need for a high moisture content in the wood. They are extremely common in wooded or forest environments in cooler climates. Colonies are generally small by termite standards, with several thousand workers in a mature colony. There is no true worker caste, as nymphs perform the duties of the colony and all nymphs become either adult soldiers or adult alates.
Identification:
These are the largest termites, and soldiers and alates have distinct characteristics. The wings extend well past the end of the abdomen, and there are 3 thickened veins near the leading edge of each wing that run from the base to the tip of the wing. There are no ocelli next to the compound eyes and no fontanelle present in the middle of the top of the head. The body color is dark red-brown and the wings have a dark tint to them.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
These termites require wood with high moisture content, and controlling this excessive moisture condition will generally be effective in both preventing and repelling the termites. A local treatment with a residual insecticide injected into their galleries may be needed to kill workers still present after the moisture conditions are corrected.
