2016 09 Tree Failure in Yuen Long
A tree failure occurred in a park in Yuen Long in September 2016. “white ant s” (termites) were noted at the point of tree failure. This is an example of […]
Odontotermes formosanus
Appearance of Soldier
Around 6mm long. The head is pale orange and oval-shaped. Mandibles are curved and sharply pointed, with a distinct tooth on the inner margin of the left mandible.
Habit
Build […]
Macrotermes barneyi
Appearance of Soldiers
With two classes of soldiers, the major soldiers (7.5-8mm long) and minor soldiers (5-6.5mm long). Major soldiers are with brownish red heads while those of minor soldiers are […]
Procapritermes sowerbyi
Appearance of Soldier
Around 7mm in length. The head is rectangular and pale yellow. The body is white in colour. Mandibles are long, slender and slightly asymmetrical.
Habit
Feed on humus in soil. […]
Capritermes fuscotibialis
Appearance of Soldiers
The head is rectangular and yellow to light brown in colour. Mandibles are characteristically asymmetrical.
Habit
Feed on humus in soil. Usually found inhabiting parts of nests built by other […]
Reticulitermes fukienensis
Appearance of soldiers
Around 4.5mm long. The rectangular head is yellow in colour. Mandibles are relatively short and stout with dark tips.
Habit
Live in old tree stumps and buried timber. May also […]
Coptotermes formosanus
Appearance of soldiers
Around 5mm long. The head is pear-shaped and pale orange in colour. Mandibles are large, pointed and dark.
Habit
Inhabit dead tree branches and moist structural timber in domestic environment. […]
Cryptotermes brevis
Appearance of Soldiers
Around 5 mm long. The head is large, cylindrical and dark. The body is creamy white. Mandibles are small as compared with those of other species.
Habit
Live in a […]
How do Coptotermes termites attack trees?
Coptotermes are wood-feeding termites that can attack both living and dead wood. The genus is notorious for its habit of colonizing living trees and hollowing out the heartwood to the […]