13 replies to this topic

[Vendayn]

This is the termite I have had trouble IDing, though last year we just settled on Incisitermes minor. But finally got a picture of the massive soldier, and maybe they are Incisitermes minor. But I don't think the soldiers get this big for I. minor, do they?

 

First spoiler is the "normal" sized soldier. Same exact colony as the soldier in second spoiler. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

now for the massive soldier

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Vendayn, March 16 2019 - 3:40 PM.

[Rstheant]

Dunno, seems pretty big.

[Vendayn]

Dunno, seems pretty big.

Yeah, she is huge. Its not the first time seeing such a massive soldier of this "strange" termite. Unless Incisitermes minor soldiers can get that big.

 

That is a dime btw, used it for reference

[TennesseeAnts]

I'd say I. minor. I had these everywhere in Washington.

[Vendayn]

I'd say I. minor. I had these everywhere in Washington.

Yeah that is what was decided last year. But, do the soldiers really get that big with I. minor? If so, guess learned something new, cause didn't know they got big soldiers like in the pictures. 

[Nare]

Are these the same ones that like it moist?

[TennesseeAnts]

I have found soldiers half an inch long.

[Vendayn]

Well I dunno if they like it moist or not. I just treat them like they are Incisitermes minor and don't give them any water. But last time I kept these particular ones, they all died and were dried up within 2 days. I've had other Incisitermes minor colonies and they don't need any water, which makes me question about this particular colony in the pictures.

 

Though if Ant_Dude2908 found half inch long ones and they were indeed Incisitermes minor, probably what they are. I didn't know they got that big.

[Vendayn]

So, I'm pretty sure they are Incisitermes minor. I guess never noticed when reading how big the soldiers can get, but they can get actually really large.

 

Makes me wonder what my reaction will be, if I ever see Zootermopsis. They are even bigger lol.

[TennesseeAnts]

Zootermopsis are EXTREMELY large. Alates can be around half an inch in my experience.

[LC3]

Can confirm Incisitermes sp. and therefor almost definitely I. minor. I never knew these were in Washington. I’ll have to note that down somewhere. Mind mentioning where in Washington Ant_Dude?

[TennesseeAnts]

Western, near Seattle.

[Vendayn]

I bet they got imported to Washington somehow, than natively arrived there. It doesn't seem a place they'd naturally get to. Maybe they did, but seems not like a typical environment for them due to the climate.

[TennesseeAnts]

It was really weird because I saw them one summer, then they disappeared.