100 Species #26: Eastern Subterranean Termite

[urbpan]

These eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) workers and soldiers were underneath I rock I overturned, some distance I should say, from my house, which I am happy to report is made of stone.

Like all creatures we call pests, outside of the human context termites are normal and positive parts of the ecosystem. They consume dead wood and other cellulose-laden litter, recycling the waste of the forest into new soil. Social insects which form huge colonies, they act as an endlessly renewing food source for small predators and insectivores. This species is the most common and abundant termite species in North America, and the only one found in New England. It has previously appeared in this blog as 365 urban species #113, wherein I scoffed at the danger to New England structures posed by this creature. Now that I've worked in the industry for several years, I'm no longer so cynical about the motives of pest control operators.

Comments

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

That we have termites, or that we have only one species?

[drhoz.livejournal.com]

that you have them at all up there, given the winters

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I guess they overwinter pretty far underground, and probably only the reproductives survive.

[drhoz.livejournal.com]

seems likely