Damon Mcknight
Termites, also known as white ants, are social insects that are closely related to cockroaches. They are famous for their destructive habits, with wood forming a big part of their diet. Australia is home to over 300 species of termites, making it one of the most termite-infested regions in the world. These termites are typically found in moist environments such as forests or wetlands, but can also be found in dry areas. They infest damp wood, usually rotting pieces of timber that are in contact with moisture or decaying trees. Some of the most common termite species found in Australia include Mastotermes darwiniensis (giant northern termite), Cryptotermes brevis (West Indian drywood termite), and Neotermes (ring-ant termite).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of termite species in Australia | 300+ |
| Common termite species | Mastotermes darwiniensis (giant northern termite), Cryptotermes brevis (West Indian drywood termite), Neotermes (ring-ant termite), Porotermes (dampwood termite), Heterotermes, Coptotermes, Schedorhinotermes, Microcerotermes, Amitetermes (compass termite) |
| Regions with termite infestations | Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, Brisbane, Redland Bay, Ipswich, Logan Area, Northern parts of Western Australia, Ti Tree, Papunya, Alice Springs |
| Types of termite | Subterranean, Drywood, Dampwood |
| Termite diet | Wood, with a preference for rotten wood |
| Termite nesting habits | Subterranean termites build their nests underground, Drywood termites create their colonies inside wood structures, Dampwood termites prefer moist environments and can be found in decaying logs or damp areas within homes |
| Termite appearance | Pale with a yellowish-brown or light brown body |
| Termite size | 4-6mm (Neotermes), 7mm (most pest species), 12mm (giant northern termite) |
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What You'll Learn
Giant Northern Termite
Australia is home to both native and introduced termite species, and the Giant Northern Termite, or Mastotermes darwiniensis, is the most primitive termite species alive. They are typically found in tropical Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, but as the weather continues to warm, they are moving further south.
The Giant Northern Termite is a highly destructive species, known to cause severe damage to houses, buildings, bridges, poles, posts, and other timber structures. They have a varied diet, feeding on wood, plants, organic matter, leather, ivory, and even lead, plastic, and asphalt. They are often compared to cockroaches, with similar wings and egg-laying methods, and they can appear to have a cockroach's abdomen with a termite's head. They have large eyes, strong black mandibles, and an anal lobe on each hind wing, which is unique among termites. The soldiers of this species are very large, usually exceeding 13mm in length, with broad, rounded heads that are reddish-brown to yellow in colour, and antennae with 20-26 segments.
The Giant Northern Termite typically builds its nests at the base of tree trunks or tree stumps, and their colonies can number in the millions under favourable conditions. They are known to kill living trees to host their colonies, and their presence can be detected by the drying, wilting, and yellowing of leaves, as well as the death of entire branches on a healthy tree. Their nests can be found several metres deep when sourcing water or following tree roots, and their tunnels can extend over 100m in length.
The Giant Northern Termite is a significant pest in Northern Australia, causing more economic loss than any other insect in the region. They are difficult to eradicate, and their impact is likely to increase with climate change, as warmer temperatures expand their range.
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West Indian Drywood Termite
Termites, also known as white ants, are social insects that are closely related to cockroaches. They are famous for their destructive habits, particularly their appetite for wood, which forms a large part of their diet. In Australia, there are 360 species of termites, with only a handful responsible for the billions of dollars of economic damage caused by the insects each year.
The West Indian Drywood termite, or *Cryptotermes brevis*, is one of the most destructive termite pests worldwide. It was first found in Australia in the 1960s, and is native to northern South America. As a drywood termite, this species does not need to be near moisture to survive. This means it can infest small, portable pieces of timber.
The West Indian Drywood termite is an above-ground species that can sustain itself for long periods in relatively dry conditions. They tend to cut across the natural grain of wood, hollowing out large, chamber-like areas, which they connect with a series of tunnels. These chambers and tunnels are kept clear, with excrement and debris moved to unused areas or removed entirely through openings in the wood. The best indicator of their existence is the presence of piles of frass (distinctive faecal pellets), which are sand grain-like in appearance.
The West Indian Drywood termite is a social insect that lives within nests, or colonies. The hierarchy of the colony is broken down into a caste structure, with a queen and king responsible for reproduction, workers that build the nest and provide food, soldiers that protect the colony from predators, and reproductives, which are future queens and kings of new colonies. The termite lifecycle has three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Once a nymph hatches from an egg, it goes through four to seven moulting phases before achieving full adulthood. The nymph stage can last for two to three months, depending on the temperature and the availability and quality of food.
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Subterranean Termites
The Formosan termite, sometimes called the "super termite," is a type of subterranean termite known for building huge colonies and causing extensive damage to timber structures in a short amount of time. Another destructive species of subterranean termite in Australia is the Coptotermes acinaciformis, which is considered the most destructive termite species in the country. It is known to cause fires by short-circuiting wires.
To prevent an infestation of subterranean termites, it is important to inspect large wooden articles, infested soil, and plants for signs of termites. This includes items such as crates, pallets, shipping containers, wooden posts, and plants with wooden components. Additionally, it is recommended to have a termite inspection performed at least once a year to ensure that your home is free from these destructive pests.
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Dampwood Termites
Termites are social insects that are more closely related to cockroaches than to ants. They are famous for their destructive habits, with wood being a big part of their diet. While only a handful of termite species in Australia cause economic damage, this amounts to billions of dollars. Termites are very widespread in Australia, with estimates suggesting that 1 in every 5 homes in the country has or has had a termite infestation in the recent past.
There are several species of dampwood termites in Australia:
- Porotermes adamsoni: Found in the coastal belt from southeast Queensland southwards to Ceduna, South Australia, and Tasmania.
- Neotermes insularis: Found in the coastal belt and associated hinterlands of the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It is the largest Australian species and is a major pest of standing gum trees.
- Glyptotermes tuberculatus & eucalypt: Found in the coastal belt and associated hinterland areas from tropical north Queensland to Adelaide, South Australia.
- Glyptotermes sp.: Found in coastal and highland areas from tropical north Queensland down to the Great Australian Bight in South Australia. This species is a major pest of power poles.
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Neotermes (Ring-Ant Termite)
Neotermes, or Ring-Ant Termites, are a genus of termites belonging to the family Kalotermitidae. They are one of over 300 species of termites found in Australia. They are commonly found in the coastal areas of northern Western Australia and Queensland.
Neotermes are relatively small, measuring around 4-6mm in length, and are pale with a yellowish-brown or light brown body. Despite their small size, they are destructive and can cause significant damage to wooden structures if left untreated. They are known to feed on both hardwood and softwood timber, weakening the structural integrity of buildings.
As their name suggests, Ring-Ant Termites build mud tubes and tunnels in distinctive ring shapes around wooden objects. They are often found in trees, particularly in the softer rings of wood, and can also infest dead tree stumps. They require damp and decaying wood to initiate an attack, so older homes with plumbing issues or water-soaked woodwork are at risk. Weathered flooring, such as timber decking and fencing, is a favoured food source for this species.
Neotermes are classified as subterranean termites, which are known for causing damage to building foundations and other wooden structures. They create subterranean nests in the bases of trees and can spread by forming sub-colonies in nearby areas. This can be a challenge when treating infestations, as smaller sub-colonies may go untreated and continue to cause damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Termites are found all over Australia, with an estimated 1 in 5 homes infested.
Australia is home to over 300 species of termites, including native and introduced species. The main types are subterranean, drywood, and dampwood.
Termites are social insects that are more closely related to cockroaches than ants. They are typically pale with a yellowish-brown or light brown body, and range from 4-12mm in length.
Termites are not always easy to detect, but some signs of their presence include damage to wood, unusual hexagonal pellets, and soldier castes of up to 10mm in size. It is recommended to have a termite inspection at least once a year.
If you suspect you have termites, contact a pest control professional immediately. They will be able to identify the species and recommend a treatment plan, which may include fumigation or pest control products.
