Drywood termites

Calotermes is a genus of termites belonging to the Kalotermitidae family, commonly known as drywood termites. Unlike subterranean termites, these insects do not require soil moisture to survive, which allows them to infest wood directly, including both living trees and structural timber in gardens and buildings.

These pests primarily damage hardwoods and softwoods, frequently attacking fruit trees and woody shrubs like grapevines. By creating complex gallery systems, they weaken the structural integrity of the plant, often going unnoticed until significant internal damage has already occurred.

The biology of Calotermes is specialized; they live entirely within their food source. The colony consists of reproductives, soldiers, and pseudergates (false workers). The larvae (pseudergates) perform the labor of tunneling, which allows the colony to grow steadily while remaining protected from the external environment.

Symptoms of an infestation include the presence of frass (fecal pellets) near entry holes, which appear as tiny, uniform, and hard granules. The damage caused by these insects restricts the plant's ability to transport nutrients, leading to branch dieback, reduced fruit production, and eventually, the structural collapse of the infested woody tissue.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is essential for controlling Calotermes. Control measures include rigorous sanitation by removing infested plant material to prevent colony spread, applying wood-penetrating insecticides, and using treated timber for garden structures. Regular scouting for signs of activity is the most critical step in minimizing long-term damage to the orchard.