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Field guide to exotic pests and diseases: Western drywood termite
Incisitermes minor (Hagen)
Close-up of soldier termite head.
Source: Rudolf Scheffrahn, University of Florida
Hexagonal termite frass.
Identification: live in colonies, soldiers 11-12.5mm long, pale yellow body with an orange-brown head. Yellowish-brown winged forms produced from early spring to mid-summer, swarm in large numbers at dusk.
Hosts: dry wood (moisture content >12%); wood in contact with ground, timber in-service.
Distribution: USA, Mexico and Canada.
Detection:Nests: built from a substance resembling paper. Nests are not made in the soil but are located inside the wood, which is the food source. Frass sometimes visible outside nests; usually hard, hexagonal pellets less than 1mm diameter. Most likely to enter Australia aboard ships in containers or hidden in timber and on yachts.
Potential impact: a serious timber pest that can severely damage timber in-service.