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Wilton Simpson Commissioner
Termites associated with structures in Florida
Formosan subterranean termite (FST)
(Coptotermes formosanus)
boat infestation
Identifying features
Introduced to Florida in the 1980 from docked infested boat
Requires moisture source: roof leak, soil, tree, or bilge water
Fill nesting and foraging voids with brown "carton" material (feces)
Major structural pest, also infests live trees and boats
Swarmers with brown heads, body and wings covered with minute hairs
Soldier with oval head, emits white secretion when disturbed
Swarm during evenings at the beginning of the rainy season
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FST soldier guarding broken flight slit
FST exterior flight slits
FST damage to ceiling joist
Fecal spotting
FST entering toilet from sewer pipe
FST damage to structural framing
FST damage to door jamb showing carton material filing voids created from feeding
Infested schefflera tree trunk, Hallandale,1985
Infested header above door, Golden Beach,1988
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