Wood-Destroying Insects

Question 1

How many species of termites are considered to be structural pests in the U.S.?

Answer 1

About 20

Question 2

Termites develop via

Answer 2

gradual metamorphosis

Question 3

Termite larvae lack

Answer 3

sclerotization (the darkening and hardening of the exoskeleton)

Question 4

Three castes of termites

Answer 4

workers, soldiers, and reproductives

Question 5

The most common individuals in a termite colony

Answer 5

workers

Question 6

Responsible for eating cellulose, building tunnels through soil and wood, tending the nursery, and sharing food

Answer 6

termite workers

Question 7

All reproductive termites are dependent on

Answer 7

the workers for food and nurture

Question 8

Termites eat

Answer 8

cellulose (a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls)

Question 9

Termites harbor special microorganisms in their digestive tracts to digest cellulose called

Answer 9

symbionts (break down cellulose into sugars)

Question 10

The exchange of nutrition via regurgitation and anal secretions is called

Answer 10

trophallaxis

Question 11

Trophallaxis makes it possible to manage termites colonies with

Answer 11

baits

Question 12

What makes soldier termites incapable of obtaining their own food?

Answer 12

their highly specialized fighting jaws

Question 13

Adult winged reproductives that are capable of becoming primary kings or queens

Answer 13

alates

Question 14

Genetic evidence suggests that _________ are responsible for founding most new termite colonies

Answer 14

alates

Question 15

When alates emerge from the nest at the appropriate time of year, they are also called

Answer 15

swarmers

Question 16

Swarming flights are of interest to both PMPs and their customers because

Answer 16

they act as a warning that termites are active and present

Question 17

Individuals that develop functional reproductive systems while retaining characteristics of juvenile termites

Answer 17

neotenic

Question 18

May take over reproduction responsibilities for a termite colony in the event of a death or separation from a primary queen

Answer 18

neotenic reproductives

Question 19

What type of antennae do termites have?

Answer 19

moniliform (look like a series of beads strung together)

Question 20

The antennae of termites in North America are never

Answer 20

clubbed or bent

Question 21

Sterile termites that lack wings and most lack eyes

Answer 21

soldiers

Question 22

Fighters and defenders of a termite colony

Answer 22

soldiers

Question 23

Termites which use chemical secretions from a special gland on the head to repel on entangle prey

Answer 23

nasutiform

Question 24

Have prolonged beaks instead of mandibles

Answer 24

nasute termites

Question 25

Nasute termites are mostly found in

Answer 25

the tropics, some regions of Florida and Texas

Question 26

Have smooth mandibles

Answer 26

subterranean termites

Question 27

Have jagged mandibles

Answer 27

most dampwood and drywood termites

Question 28

Pronotum is narrower than the head

Answer 28

subterranean termites

Question 29

Pronotum as wide or wider than the head

Answer 29

most drywood and dampwood termites

Question 30

A small opening on the top of the head that secretes defensive fluids

Answer 30

fontanelle

Question 31

Has a pronounced fontanelle on the front part of its head, with two pairs of hairs on each side

Answer 31

Formosan termites

Question 32

Smooth wings without hairs, and have two heavy veins along the leading edge of the forewing

Answer 32

Eastern subterranean termites

Question 33

Wings covered with fine hairs that are visible under magnification

Answer 33

Formosan subterranean termites

Question 34

Often dusky wings that have at least three strong veins along the leading edge of the forewing

Answer 34

Drywood termites

Question 35

Shortly after their emergence and nuptial flight, the king and queen alates lose

Answer 35

their wings

Question 36

humeral suture

Answer 36

spot slightly above the point where the termite wings connect to the thorax where king and queen alates wings fall off after their nuptial flight

Question 37

The three main types of termites in North America

Answer 37

subterranean, drywood, and dampwood