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Introduction - insects

Insects are one of the the most abundant and successful groups of organisms on earth. They include over half of all the species of organisms and more than three quarters of all animal species. Insects inhabit virtually all land masses, including some very specialised habitats. For example, they have been found living in deep caves, hot springs, salt lakes and pools of petroleum. The vast majority of insects are terrestrial and all are very diverse in appearance and habits. An understanding of basic information about insect structure, growth, development and classification, and a knowledge of certain characteristics of wood, can assist in the management of pests in timber.

Termites

Termites (order Isoptera) are an ancient group of insects whose origins date back more than 100 million years to the Cretaceous Period. Although they are commonly called "white ants", the resemblance to ants (order Hymenoptera) is superficial and they are more closely related to cockroaches (order Blattodea)

Australia has a diverse termite fauna. The order is represented by the families Mastotermitidae, Termopsidae, Kalotermittidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae. The five families include about 30 genera with 258 described species, and at least 90 as yet undescribed. Termites can again be grouped into three categories: dampwood, drywood, and subterranean.

Many species of termite feed on materials such as grass. Only a few are of economic importance to timber in the built environment (timber in service)

With this in mind we will discuss the species that are of economic importance, and that effect the areas of South East Queensland in particular.

Coptotermes acinaciformis Coptotermes Acinaciformis

Family Rhinotermitidae (subfamily Coptotermitinae)
Genus Coptotermes
Species acinaciformis
Type Subterranean
Identification Soldier- 5.8 +or- 0.8 mm - mandibulate. Identification of the species on the basis of a few soldiers alone is unreliable

This species does not construct a mound in its range south of the Tropic of Capricorn, but nests inside trees or in wood in the ground. It attacks timber structures and damages forests and ornamental trees as well as fruit trees. Colonies may number more than 500,000 individuals. Soil contact is usually maintained by this termite, but is not essential provided that a source of moisture is available. Colonies have been found for example, on the top of multistorey buildings and in bridge and wharf timbers out of ground contact. The related species C. frenchi and C. lacteus also occur in southern Queensland. The latter constructs mounds usually associated with stumps, and primarily feeds on decayed wood.

Schedorhinotermes sp.

Shedorhinotermes

Family Rhinotermitidae (subfamily Rhinotermitindae)
Genus Shedorhinotermes
Type Subterranean
Identification Soldier: major - 5.0 - 7.50 mm mandibulate; minor - 3.00 - 5.0 Identification of the species on the basis of a few soldiers alone is unreliable

This species causes considerable damage to buildings, poles, fences, sawn timber, as well as living and dead trees. Commonly attack takes place under the protection of extensive deposits of fragile "plastering" (building material used by termites, composed of fecal matter mixed with materials from the environment). Nests are found in the root crown area of living, debilitated and dead trees as well as in timber buried in the ground, Colonies can consist of many thousands of termites.

Nasutiterermes walkeri Shedorhinotermes

Family Termitidae (subfamily Nasutitermitinae)
Genus Nasutiterermes
Species Walkeri
Type Subterranean
Identification Soldier - 6.0 + or - 1.00 mm - nasute

This species feed on decayed and weathered timber, particularly when it is in contact with the soil. When the environment is damp and ventilation is poor. These species will damage timber and etch the surface of sound timber. The species occurs along the eastern coast from Sydney to Cairns. It constructs arboreal nests in trees and on the main trunk, in a fork or a large branch. The outside casing is soft and friable and easily broken or penetrated. The arboreal part of the nest is connected to another part of the colony in the root crown area or another subterranean part of the tree. The connection with the two sections is both internal and external in most cases.

 
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Licence No. PMT-O-10363
Q.B.S.A No. 1066314
S.I.C. No 0247341

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