Pacific Dampwood Termite
ExploreInsects
Pacific Dampwood Termite
Zootermopsis angusticollis
The Pacific Dampwood Termite is a small insect that helps break down wood and recycle nutrients in the forest. They live in damp, decaying wood and are important for keeping the environment healthy.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Pacific Dampwood Termite is one of North America's largest termites, ranging from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. Its body is robust, and soldiers have large, dark heads with strong mandibles. Winged reproductives are darker brown with prominent, clear wings.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderBlattodeaFamilyArchotermopsidaeGenusZootermopsis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Termite queens can live for over a decade, laying thousands of eggs! Wow!
Termites use their own droppings to seal up tunnels and fix their homes! Wow!
They don't build nests in the soil, only inside damp wood! Wow!
This termite is the largest dampwood species in North America! Wow!
Special abilities
Ability
Wood Wrecker
Pacific Dampwood Termite can digest tough wood because of special microbes in its gut that helps them break down cellulose.
Ability
Humidity Home Builder
Pacific Dampwood Termite has a special ability to live only in very damp wood that helps them find and create their nests.
Ability
Mighty Mandibles
Pacific Dampwood Termite soldiers have massive, dark mandibles that help them defend the colony from invaders like ants.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 30-40 mm
- Size
- 10-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 365-1095 days
- Flight Speed
- 0.5-2 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
- Colony Size
- 500-5000
Diet & Feeding
These termites eat decaying wood and plant fibers, thanks to tiny helpers in their gut!
Primary Foods
- decaying wood
- wet timber
- cellulose fibers
- fungus-damaged wood
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
Drills into wood to find and eat termites.
eats
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
Preys on swarming termite alates during flights.
symbiotic with
Gut Protozoan
Trichonympha campanula
Lives in the termite's gut, helping digest wood cellulose.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Termites are not harmful to people, but it's best to leave them in their homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pacific Dampwood Termite's wingspan?
30-40 mm
How big is Pacific Dampwood Termite?
10-25 mm
How long does Pacific Dampwood Termite live?
365-1095 days
How fast can Pacific Dampwood Termite fly?
0.5-2 km/h
What does Pacific Dampwood Termite eat?
These termites eat decaying wood and plant fibers, thanks to tiny helpers in their gut!
Where is Pacific Dampwood Termite usually found?
Forests
How does Pacific Dampwood Termite hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Pacific Dampwood Termite have?
6
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