8 replies to this topic

[Dumpling]

I caught these termites in a dry big stick with some holes in it. Can someone try and id it and give me an idea of how to raise them? Thanks in advance.

I didn’t catch any reproductives, is it true that termite workers will molt to become reproductives and start having babies?

Edited by Dumpling, June 8 2022 - 4:13 PM.

[VenomousBeast]

I caught these termites in a dry big stick with some holes in it. Can someone try and id it and give me an idea of how to raise them? Thanks in advance. BD3ACA1B-9E2D-4CB7-ABF1-1F1C420E24C0.jpeg
I didn’t catch any reproductives, is it true that termite workers will molt to become reproductives and start having babies?

These look like drywood termites, could you give me where you found them? I can more accurately Id them for you😁
Also, the secondary queens and kings are somewhat rarer in drywood termites, but not impossible. For example the termitats tend to give rise to them, but you need nymphs in order to get them, and they need to be male and female nymphs. Unlike ants, each individual is a different gender and as such a male can't become a queen😝

[Dumpling]

I found them in my backyard near a large tree within a rope ladder if that helps. The ladder seemed pretty dry and not that rotten. I see a few little termites that are about 1/3 the length of the other workers, is that a nymph? Also it is completely white unlike the other workers that have slight coloration. I will see if I can collect nymphs outside.

[Dumpling]

 

I caught these termites in a dry big stick with some holes in it. Can someone try and id it and give me an idea of how to raise them? Thanks in advance. BD3ACA1B-9E2D-4CB7-ABF1-1F1C420E24C0.jpeg
I didn’t catch any reproductives, is it true that termite workers will molt to become reproductives and start having babies?

These look like drywood termites, could you give me where you found them? I can more accurately Id them for you
Also, the secondary queens and kings are somewhat rarer in drywood termites, but not impossible. For example the termitats tend to give rise to them, but you need nymphs in order to get them, and they need to be male and female nymphs. Unlike ants, each individual is a different gender and as such a male can't become a queen

 

I found them in my backyard near a large tree within a rope ladder if that helps. The ladder seemed pretty dry and not that rotten. I see a few little termites that are about 1/3 the length of the other workers, is that a nymph? Also it is completely white unlike the other workers that have slight coloration. I will see if I can collect nymphs outside.

[VenomousBeast]

I caught these termites in a dry big stick with some holes in it. Can someone try and id it and give me an idea of how to raise them? Thanks in advance. BD3ACA1B-9E2D-4CB7-ABF1-1F1C420E24C0.jpeg
I didn’t catch any reproductives, is it true that termite workers will molt to become reproductives and start having babies?

These look like drywood termites, could you give me where you found them? I can more accurately Id them for you
Also, the secondary queens and kings are somewhat rarer in drywood termites, but not impossible. For example the termitats tend to give rise to them, but you need nymphs in order to get them, and they need to be male and female nymphs. Unlike ants, each individual is a different gender and as such a male can't become a queen

I found them in my backyard near a large tree within a rope ladder if that helps. The ladder seemed pretty dry and not that rotten. I see a few little termites that are about 1/3 the length of the other workers, is that a nymph? Also it is completely white unlike the other workers that have slight coloration. I will see if I can collect nymphs outside.

I looked into the termites in your area and I still think they are reticulitermes🤷‍♂️ the soldiers are how to ID termites and they just look nothing like any of your other native species😁

Edited by VenomousBeast, June 8 2022 - 6:08 PM.

[OiledOlives]

Did you just edit your previous Incisitermes minor identification into Reticulitermes? 

[VenomousBeast]

Did you just edit your previous Incisitermes minor identification into Reticulitermes?

I did, due to re-evaluation. The soldiers weren't my main focus at first, as I was looking for a drywood termite species first, which the only species there is in CA is Incisitermes minor, but upon relooking at his photo, it was pretty evident that it does not have the blackening of the mandible, nor the head shape.

[Dumpling]

 

Did you just edit your previous Incisitermes minor identification into Reticulitermes?

I did, due to re-evaluation. The soldiers weren't my main focus at first, as I was looking for a drywood termite species first, which the only species there is in CA is Incisitermes minor, but upon relooking at his photo, it was pretty evident that it does not have the blackening of the mandible, nor the head shape.

 

I thought you said reticulitermes nest 30 ft underground? (On a different post) so how should I go about caring for them?

[VenomousBeast]

Did you just edit your previous Incisitermes minor identification into Reticulitermes?

I did, due to re-evaluation. The soldiers weren't my main focus at first, as I was looking for a drywood termite species first, which the only species there is in CA is Incisitermes minor, but upon relooking at his photo, it was pretty evident that it does not have the blackening of the mandible, nor the head shape.

I thought you said reticulitermes nest 30 ft underground? (On a different post) so how should I go about caring for them?

Reticulitermes often end up making new colonies via budding, so the nymphs will molt into secondary kings and queens. Think of it like a tree, the queen lives at the trunk 30ish ft underground (in mature colonies) and the workers branch to the top to find food, if a branch breaks off, then those workers will start a secondary reproductive system to keep them alive (but if they reconnect, I have no clue what happens as that's not been very well observed🤷‍♂️).
As for caring for them, they need moist soil, and wood debri. You can put them in a container with a lid, water the soil a bit, add the wood, then the termites and let them sit for a couple months, come back and you'll have secondary reproductive and they'll start laying eggs, etc. Though if you want to see them, I use Plaster nests with a bit of soil/cellulose powder mix filled in all the chambers except the one they are in. Also, make the chambers shallow and close to the plastic/glass so you can see their activity!