insulation boards, in other products containing cellulose, and in trees and other 
plants. Because of their ability to live in wood that is frequently moved, nonsubter- 
ranean termites are often found in regions far removed from their normal range, 
including Canada. None of these termites is able to establish permanent infestations 
if transported out of its normal range (366, 1/24). 
Nonsubterranean termites usually are less injurious than subterranean species in 
the Eastern United States. However, many years ago, large buildings in the South 
were seriously damaged (//22). Nonsubterranean termites fly directly to and enter 
untreated and unpainted wood at swarming time. They cut across the grain of the 
wood and excavate broad pockets or chambers connected by tunnels of small 
diameter. They feed on both the soft springwood and the harder summerwood. 
Their cavities contain compressed fecal pellets which often have six darkened 
grooves along their length (fig. 17). Some of these pellets are pushed to the exterior 
through small holes and are found in piles on the floors of infested buildings. 
F-519928 
Figure 17.—Fecal pellets of nonsubterranean termites. 
Nonsubterranean termites have a caste system similar to that of Reticulitermes. 
However, few of the species, except Prorhinotermes, contain individuals that could 
be considered workers. Most of the termites present are larvae or nymphs, and most 
of the work of the colony is performed by the nymphs. 
Winged adults usually swarm during the early evening or morning hours in late 
winter or spring. Unless carried by the wind, they fly for only short distances in 
search of places to start a new colony. Once they have succeeded, they shed their 
wings and bore directly into the wood. Then they plug the opening, and seal 
themselves in. Colonies grow very slowly, are seldom confined to a single chamber, 
and rarely contain more than a few thousand individuals. Piles of pellets on the 
floor may be the first evidence of infestations. Other telltale evidence consists of 
pitted and roughened surfaces of infested floors, doorframes, and other wood. 
Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) (Family Kalotermitidae) occurs commonly in 
southern Florida and is fairly widespread (although not abundant) on the coast of 
the Gulf of Mexico as far west as Brownsville, Tex. Isolated infestations have also 
been found elsewhere, including Tennessee, Maryland, Ohio, and New York. In 
most cases these infestations have been directly linked to transport of furniture from 
the Southern United States, particularly Florida and Hawaii, and from the Orient. 
Quarantine officials commonly intercept this species in cargo entering the United 
States from tropical and semitropical areas of the world. C. brevis has not been 
61 
