| Reticulitermes flaviceps (Oshima)
 
The ecology of Reticulitermes flaviceps (Oshima)was studied in Taiwan . The habitat of this termite were restricted to the microhabitats where wood or wooden products are present , temperature (16-35? and humidity (75-95 ?RH) are suitable, and are less windy. R. flaviceps flaviceps lived in highly integrated colonies. The termite showed great variability in the construction of its nests. The complicated nests were constructed in the ground but the termites also lived in infested wood. A mature colony of R. flaviceps flaviceps usually included tens to hundreds of thousands of individuals consisting, as determined, 6 castes and 14 different types, the majority of which were male and female workers. Although destruction to wooden buildings by this termite was moderately slow (7.5cm3/ 100 workers/ 50 days), serious damage can be made by populous colonies within a few years. Natural enemies of R. flaviceps flaviceps included many predaceous ants, a few ectoparasitic mites and an entomogenous nematode (genus Rhabditis). Four symbiotic flagellates (Hypermastigida) were found in the rectal pouch of this termite |
Residential Pest Identification