Drywood termite

Cryptotermes cavifrons is a species of drywood termite belonging to the family Kalotermitidae. Unlike subterranean termites, this species does not require soil contact to survive, deriving moisture directly from the wood it infests, which allows it to thrive in various dry wooden structures.

In an agricultural and forestry context, these insects primarily attack the dead wood portions of living trees, including citrus, as well as dead stumps and fallen branches. They pose a significant threat to wooden greenhouse supports, farm structures, and stored timber, often going unnoticed for extended periods.

The biology of this species involves complex caste systems, including specialized soldiers. These soldiers are identified by their dark, strongly sclerotized, concave-fronted heads, which they use to plug the entrance holes of their galleries, effectively defending the colony against intruders and managing internal ventilation.

The damage caused by these termites is destructive and hidden. They consume the internal grain of the wood, leaving the exterior surface intact until it finally collapses. One of the most reliable indicators of an infestation is the presence of small, characteristic piles of fecal pellets, known as frass, which they push out from their galleries.

Control strategies focus on structural integrity and preventive treatment. Chemical control includes professional fumigation, which is the most effective method to reach deep-seated galleries, as well as the application of borate-based wood preservatives to untreated wood surfaces to deter colony establishment and expansion.