Is this the Pacific coast dampwood termite? - Incisitermes minor

Moved

Moved from Pacific coast dampwood termite.

… Zhao J, 4 February, 2019 - 11:23pm

Question about geographical distribution

I'm a microbiologist working on termite's gut bacteria. I've started some bacteria isolation experiments from termites feeding on decaying wood in one of our research facilities. I'm obviously no entomologist!, but following some guides I have what I believe is Zootermopsis angusticollis. Does anybody know a some guide I can use to accurately identify my termites? If a send some images, would anybody give a hand?. Thanks a lot.

… Hugo Castillo Gonzalez, 5 February, 2008 - 8:03pm

Check out the forums

They're a better place to ask this type of question. Meanwhile, why not post your images and see what happens?

… Ron Hemberger, 6 February, 2008 - 1:36pm

Zootermopsis angusticollis

"California Insects" by Powell and Hogue mentions one with dark brown, heavily veined wings and also states that Z. nevadensis is more common in the northern half of the state, particularly at higher locations. Further, Z. nevadensis is not mentioned in Hogue's "Insects of the Los Angeles Basin."

… Ron Hemberger, 20 October, 2006 - 12:07am

Okey Dokey!

I don't have any knowledge of California Insects...

… Cheryl Moorehead, 20 October, 2006 - 7:38am

California Insects

Most of the termites in the South Western part of USA are Formosan and Drywood termites. It's pretty hard to get rid of them because most of them know how to adapt to various climate conditions. The " rel="nofollow">termite damage costs responsible homeowners millions of dollars pear year at a countrywide scale.

… johnpetrucio, 8 September, 2009 - 7:18am

I don't know if it's Zootermopsis

Of course we only have two species of termite up here in Seattle!
Spring fliers (Reticulitermes hesperus - reproductives nearly 1cm...excluding wings) and Fall fliers (Zootermopsis angusticollis - reproductives around 1.5cm...excluding wings).

I don't recall our Pacific Dampwood Termites having such blackish wings. You might look up Z. nevadensis. It's a little smaller and is more likely to be found South of the Pacific NW than Z. angusticollis). Ours are like the one I photographed being eaten by a spider at the porchlight

(The spider has been identified as Zygiella of some sort...an interesting Orb Weaver with a funnel-shaped web).

There I go, rambling again!

… Cheryl Moorehead, 19 October, 2006 - 8:04pm

I'll check it out and do appreciate the detail.

I know next to nothing about termites at this point, but the dark wings did give me pause vis a vis Bug Guide images. With wings, this one was over 1" long.

… Ron Hemberger, 19 October, 2006 - 8:11pm

Probably.

Termites in the genus Zootermopsis are gigantic compared to other termites, and they do swarm in the late summer and fall. If this winged one was an inch or more, then Zootermopsis it is.

… Eric R. Eaton, 19 October, 2006 - 7:49pm

I keep forgetting length!

Yep, more than an inch. Thanks, Eric.

… Ron Hemberger, 19 October, 2006 - 8:08pm