8 replies to this topic

[BMM]

There were swarms of these outside my work today. The ground was literally coated with shed wings. They look like termites to me, but I wanted to make sure and find out the type and species if possible. I grabbed a dozen or so to use as ant treats. Sadly they had no tolerance for heat and died as I soon as I got in my car to drive home. They're all a dark brown to blackish color and about 5-7 mm long.

 

 

[Skwiggledork]

Looks like the termites I caught a few days ago. Had mine ID'd on a facebook group as eastern subterranean termites. I could be way off though.

[LC3]

The genus Reticulitermes (what these are) is really messy. There's something like 6 valid species across the US for what may be 26 species. Anyways is the 7mm including that of the wings?

[Skwiggledork]

So what kind of set up would be best to keep them in? lol

[LC3]

Any container with substrate and access to cellulose (cardboard, softwoods or hardwoods with no toxins) kept between 68F - 77F and a humidity of around 80-90% should suffice. I've never experimented with rearing subterranean termites from imagoes but those should be their requirements. A test tube would probably work (just limit the water behind the cotton and seal tightly). A petri dish with a moist piece of cardboard fitted into it might also work.

[BMM]

Thanks for the feedback. Eastern subterranean termites looks like the right answer. I have no plans to keep any, but one of my ant colonies got a nice treat out of it.

[LC3]

If the length from the head to the tip of the wings is around 7/8mm they are more likely Reticulitermes virginicus.

[BMM]

No, the length of the bodies was about 6 mm. With wings maybe around 10 mm.

[LC3]

I see, definitely R. flavipes.