Drywood Termite (Alate/Swarmer)
Scientific Name: Incisitermes snyderi (or similar Incisitermes species)
Order & Family: Order Blattodea, Family Kalotermitidae
Size: Approximately 1/2 inch (12-13 mm) including the wings; body alone is about 1/4 inch.
Natural Habitat
Found inside sound, dry wood such as structural timbers, furniture, and dead tree limbs. They do not require contact with soil.
Diet & Feeding
Cellulose found in dry wood and wood products.
Behavior Patterns
Alates (winged reproductives) swarm during specific seasons to mate and start new colonies. They are often attracted to light. Unlike subterranean termites, they live entirely within the wood they consume.
Risks & Benefits
Major economic pests that cause significant structural damage to homes and wooden furniture. They do not bite humans or pets but can weaken buildings over time. In ecosystems, they benefit the environment by decomposing dead wood.
Identified on: 4/29/2026