Hubbard's drywood termite

Systematic position: Kalotermes hubbardi belongs to the order Isoptera, family Kalotermitidae. Often referred to as a drywood termite, this species is distinguished by its ability to infest dry wood directly, without requiring contact with the soil. This unique biological trait makes it a formidable pest for wooden structures and living trees alike.

Affected crops: This pest primarily affects woody plants, including various fruit trees and ornamental landscape plants. It poses a significant threat to aged or weakened trees that have suffered from mechanical injury, drought stress, or other environmental factors, providing an entry point for termite swarmers.

Biology and life cycle: These termites live in colonies sequestered within the wood they consume. The colony structure is divided into specific castes: reproductives, soldiers, and nymphs. The lifecycle initiates when winged alates disperse, pair up, and locate a suitable dry wood substrate to initiate a new colony by boring directly into the interior fibers.

Damage and pest status: The primary damage is internal, as these termites excavate extensive galleries within the woody tissue. Because they feed beneath the surface, infestations often remain undetected until significant structural damage has occurred. A key indicator of their presence is the appearance of frass, which are small, granular pellets discarded through small holes in the wood.

Control measures: Management of Hubbard's drywood termite requires a combination of sanitation and chemical interventions:

• Regular inspections for signs of frass and entry holes in trees.
• Pruning of infested branches and removal of dead or dying wood.
• Injection of registered insecticides into termite galleries to eliminate active colonies.
• Application of wood preservatives to structural timber in agricultural facilities.
• Monitoring for swarmers during seasonal flight periods to prevent new infestations.