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Eastern subterranean termite

Reticulitermes flavipes

Photo by BenjaminKabel
Published on Project Noah
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36.0585, -95.8958

Field Notes

Description:

Although destructive to property, termites are ecologically important as one of the few organisms which break down cellulose, though they do so via symbiotic relationship.

These termites cannot survive above ground or outside of their tunnels and will rapidly close any breaches.

Notes:

So only one termite is actually visible in the photograph. The rest quickly retreated to their tunnels. These were thankfully found in a woodpile, and not my home.

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Photographed
PublishedJune 24, 2013

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