Quiz Termite ID: Subterranean; Drywood; Dampwood California

Termite alates closely resemble the winged reproductives produced by ant colonies.    True or False

All four wings of termite alate are the same size. The hind wings of an ant swarmer are much smaller than its front wings. The termite alate’s waist is broad in shape while the ant swarmer’s waist is pinched or narrow. The antennae of the termite alate are straight. An ant swarmer’s antennae are elbowed.    True or False

Subterranean termites have three types of tubes, working tubes, exploratory tubes and swarm tubes.     True or False

One of the chief means of shared feeding is called trophallaxis or the mutual exchange of gut contents between colony members.    True or False

The wings of drywood termite alates differ from those of subterranean termites by having three or more dark veins at the upper margin of the wings instead of only two veins.      True or False

 Drywood termite colonies of most species remain entirely above ground and do not connect to the soil.    True or False

Drywood termites often expel their fecal pellets through surface openings and they can accumulate on horizontal surfaces below the openings. These fecal pellets, which are distinctive in appearance with six longitudinal concave sides, may be the first clue to their presence.     True or False

Dampwood termites require wood with a high moisture content. Wood in contact with the ground or with a constant moisture source is most prone to attack. Dampwood termites attack the wood directly from the soil and usually burrow into the soil.    True or False

Dampwood termite galleries have no soil, but if conditions are extremely damp, the fecal pellets will stick to the gallery walls and  appear as soil. If conditions are dry, the fecal pellets accumulate at the bottom of the galleries or are expelled from the galleries in the same way as drywood termites. Dampwood termites often use their fecal pellets to seal off their galleries in order to maintain a high level of humidity in the gallery system.    True or False

The head of the drywood termite soldier is rectangular in shape like the native subterranean termites. The mandibles of the drywood soldier, however, has teeth present along the inner margins of both mandibles.    True or False