Coptotermes lacteus
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Coptotermes lacteus
Effective Coptotermes lacteus treatment solutions
- We reply within 24 Hours
- Safe, effective treatments
Coptotermes lacteus
Coptotermes lacteus
Characteristics
Coptotermes lacteus is widely known as the “milk termite”, and is usually seen in the eastern part of the continent. Its caste system includes the queen, king, soldier, worker, and reproductive. Identification is through the soldier termites, which have pear-shaped heads and a cream-coloured body that measures 4 mm to 4.8 mm. While the soldiers are cream in colour, the workers are whitish in colour or partially transparent. Reproductives, also called Alates and are dark brown to black in colour with a length of 13 to 16 mm. In terms of appearance, the Coptotermes lacteus termite has mandibles that produce a milky latex material called “exudate”.
Habitat
This termite species builds large mounds using clay, sand, partially digested plant material, excreta, and saliva. Their mounds can have a length of 2m above ground level and 2m in diameter. When it comes to the structure of their mounds, it has a hard and thick outer wall made out of clay, while the inside is made of cemented soil particles with a softer area where the queen and developing nymphs are found. Coptotermes lacteus termites are a forest pest, often found in pastures and roadside reserves. Although some workers and soldiers may form sub-nests within buildings, the primary queen and colony are not mobile.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle of the Coptotermes lacteus termite starts from an egg to an adult, as a worker or a soldier. The difference with this termite species is that when their colony reaches a particular stage of maturity, the production of the reproductive members or alates starts. Their colonies can last for as long as 50 years and may consist of up to two million members.
Eating Habits
Weathered wood is a part of the diet of this termite species. They often attack any timber on the ground, such as posts, poles, fences, and dead trees. Coptotermes lacteus is also known to attack softened timber in damp areas beneath the floors.
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