You Have Probably Never Heard Of The Florida Darkwinged Subterranean Termite
You Have Probably Never Heard Of The Florida Darkwinged Subterranean Termite
Many different invasive insects may arrive in America, but only a few of them will survive. As you can guess, invasive insects are not apt to survive new and different environments. An insect’s native environment offers it the resources it needs in order to survive, such as predator/prey relations and food sources. Then again, sometimes insects can get lucky by winding up in an environment that, although different, can still support their survival needs. These nonnative insects are, most of the time, particularly damaging to the non-native environment, as there often does not exist any natural predators to keep their population numbers in check. Termites, like Formosan subterranean termites, cause extensive damage to property. Most people are under the impression that the Formosan termite is the most recent invasive termite found to be thriving within its nonnative North American environment. However, there is another invasive termite that has been recognized by experts as being the most recent invader of American soil. This termite is referred to as the Florida darkwinged subterranean termite. This termite is officially known as the Amitermes floridensis, and it was first described, and recognized, as an invasive termite pest in America as recently as 1989.
These termites are only found within the state of Florida, specifically western Florida. The darkwinged termites, like other subterranean termites, build tunnels beneath the soil in order to travel while searching for food sources. Once these termites find a food source, they will build a nest below the ground where the source of food is located. This enables them to travel back and forth between their food sources and their nests. Colonies of darkwinged termites can become quite large, and the tunnel systems they build beneath the ground can stretch for long distances. However, when they return to the soil’s surface, these termites do not travel far to find food. This is why the damage caused by darkwinged termites is typically not as extensive as the property damage caused by other types of termites.
Had you ever heard of Florida darkwinged subterranean termites before? Do you think that they could spread to other subtropical regions along the Gulf Coast?