Subterranean and Damp-wood Termites

Family Rhinotermitidae

Reticulitermes sp.. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Members of this family feed on damp wood. They are always are in contact with the soil and will construct earthen tubes to wood that is not in contact with the soil. Some species are saprophagous. Only one species of this family is found in eastern Canada and it is very rare and found only in a few localities. Wingless forms are very pale, small termites. The winged reproductive forms are darker brown. Termites families are generally distinguished by their antennae, wing venation and other small characters.