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Conehead Termites

What is a conehead termite?

Originally known as the “tree termite,” the conehead termite thrives by feasting on wood. They were renamed as “Conehead Termites” to alleviate the misconception that this pest is only found in trees, and also for the cone-like shape of the heads of their soldiers. This invasive species is native to the Caribbean and was only first introduced to the United States in 2001.

These termites typically spend their time within their colonies but will also leave to create satellite nests in trees, shrubs, or even open ground. They will also infest fences, paper products and any other cellulose sources they can gain access too. This termite species is highly aggressive and can cause detrimental damage in a short amount of time if left undetected.

Identification

Appearance

Conehead termite is a common name based on the dark, cone-shaped head of the termite soldiers. Soldiers make up an unusually large portion of the total conehead termite colony – anywhere from 20-30% of the colony. Only 1-2 percent of subterranean and drywood colonies are soldiers. Another way to distinguish conehead termites is by the appearance of their tunnels. While subterranean termites also build mud tunnels, coneheads build wider and much more extensive tunnels than subterraneans. Still another distinctive characteristic is the appearance of their nest. Visible conehead termite nests are usually built in the open, perhaps in a tree, and look like a large, dark-brown “bumpy” round or oval shaped ball.

Behavior

The conehead termite is an invasive species that was introduced into Florida in 2001 and now is found in the southern part of the state. The conehead termite is a drywood termite species with a native distribution in the Caribbean and Central American tropical countries such as Panama.

A newly established conehead termite colony remains hidden for several years after the colony begins, but as the colony ages and matures, visible nests are constructed above ground. The above-ground nests may show up in trees, shrubs or on buildings.

Diet

Conehead termites will eat almost anything that contains cellulose. It commonly infests and consumes trees, shrubs, roots, structural lumber, furniture, fence posts and rails and paper products.

Reproduction

Mature colonies will contain both reproductive queens and males. In addition, alates will be formed and contribute to spreading colonies as they develop wings, fly from the nest, swarm, mate and then find other places to establish new colonies.

Signs of Infestation

The signs of a conehead termite infestation include seeing the termite nests; an extensive system of foraging tunnels that go from their nest to feeding locations; seeing the oddly shaped conehead soldiers; and many more soldiers in the nest as compared to other termite species.

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