Drywood termites, belonging to the family Kalotermitidae, are a group of Isoptera that infest and digest dry, seasoned wood, unlike their subterranean relatives that require contact with soil. These termites are major pests in wooden structures, furniture, and other cellulose-based materials, causing costly damage by hollowing out wood from the inside. Colonies are typically small and contained within the wood they infest, eliminating the need for moist soil, which allows drywood termites to spread via infested wood products.
- Family: Kalotermitidae
- Habitat: Dry, sound wood — no soil contact needed
- Impact: Structural damage to buildings, furniture, and wooden artifacts
- Colony traits: Small colonies, self-contained within wood
Drywood termites are classified in the family *Kalotermitidae*.
Drywood termite colonies are self-contained within wood and do not require contact with soil.
Biological and Ecological Characteristics
Drywood termites (Kalotermitidae) exhibit distinct biological traits that enable them to thrive in dry wood environments:
- Wood digestion: They consume cellulose in dry, sound wood, aided by symbiotic gut microbes.
- Moisture adaptation: Can extract water metabolically, allowing survival in dry conditions.
- Colony structure: Colonies have reproductives, workers, and soldiers; workers are pseudergates (false workers) capable of molting into other castes.
- Reproduction: Use alates (winged reproductives) for dispersal during swarming events.
- Distribution: Primarily found in warm, tropical, and subtropical regions worldwide.
Drywood termites digest cellulose with symbiotic microbes and extract water metabolically, enabling survival in dry wood.
Drywood termite colonies are self-contained and use pseudergate workers.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Drywood termites cause significant economic damage and present control challenges:
- Damage: Hollow out wood from the inside, weakening structural integrity and damaging furniture.
- Detection: Damage is often hidden; detection relies on spotting fecal pellets (frass) or swarming alates.
- Pest control: Requires eradication of entire colony; common methods include fumigation, heat treatment, and topical termiticides.
- Spread: Infested wood products enable global distribution, making drywood termites invasive pests in some areas.
Drywood termites feed inside the wood, leaving the surface intact, which makes damage hard to detect.
Drywood termite infestations require fumigation, heat treatment, or termiticides for effective control.
Notable Genera and Species
The family Kalotermitidae includes several genera known for their drywood termite members:
| Genus | Characteristics | Representative Species |
|---|---|---|
| Kalotermes | Typical drywood termite traits | Kalotermes approximatus |
| Incisitermes | Distinctive mandibles; effective wood borers | Incisitermes minor (Western Drywood Termite) |
| Cryptotermes | Common in tropical drywood infestations | Cryptotermes brevis (Powderpost Termite) |
The Western Drywood Termite is classified under the genus *Incisitermes*.
The family Kalotermitidae includes the genera *Kalotermes*, *Incisitermes*, and *Cryptotermes*.
Conclusion
Drywood termites of the family Kalotermitidae are specialized wood-destroying insects that infest dry, sound wood, causing hidden damage and challenging control measures. Their unique biology, self-contained colonies, and ability to extract water from dry wood make them formidable pests in many parts of the world.
- Kalotermitidae members digest cellulose in dry wood and form self-contained colonies.
- Damage is often cryptic, necessitating professional termite control methods.
- Key genera include Kalotermes, Incisitermes, and Cryptotermes.