Reticulitermes

Principal species

Reticulitermes flavipes (in the past R. santonensis), the termite of Saintonge, originating in North America but frequent in the South-west of France. The species can be characterized from following by some morphological, detectable characteristics using a binocular magnifying glass.

Reticulitermes grassei , the termite of the Moor S.

Reticulitermes banyulensis , the termite of Banyuls, lives in the Roussillon.

Reticulitermes lucifugus , lives in the coastal forests of Provence, starting from Ciotat jusqu´ at the Italian border. Its subspecies, Reticulitermes lucifugus corsicus meets in Corsica and Sardinia, like punctually on the continent (in urban areas).

Reticulitermes urbis , a species of termite, lately described, was discovered in urban areas in the south-east of France (of the area of Marseilles in the west to Italy in the east). It is also most probably about an accidental introduction, probably of Europe of south-east.

Description

The royal couple is winged. The workmen is soldiers are Aptère S.

Attacked gasolines

Almost all wood turpentines; only the wood of heart of the Oak, the Afzélia, the Amaranth, the Azobé, the Démérara, the Ipé, the Iroko, the Louro, the Padouk of Africa, the Robinier, the Teak, and the Wenge (…) seem not to be attacked.

Caused damage

In fact primarily the tender layers of initial wood are corroded whereas the parts out of final wood are left intact to be used as reinforcement.

Economic importance

It is the most important parasite of wood in the world. In Europe, one finds it only in Mediterranean space, but recently there were some cases in the area of Paris (large damage in the street Soufflot) and that of Hamburg. In Belgium, the risk of attack by the termites is very weak.

The constructive techniques making it possible to protect the sawlog very simple, and are imposed in the areas at the risk. It should be known that the termites live in Termitière S (their nest is in the ground) and do not support the sunlight. They are particularly present in the wooded areas because they need food. To attack a house, it is necessary that they have access to wood without having to leave to the free air. They pass is by lower part (one places in the areas at the risk a " feuille" antitermites around the foundations) is by the side. It is thus necessary to have beginnings of walls in Béton, brick, stone, which they cannot cross. One pays attention as well not to place of firewood against the house.

In spite of these precautions, it happens that the termites build small galleries on the stones, by using Argile and saliva, to arrive to wood. It is for that one maintenance well bottoms of the walls, by painting them in white. If a gallery is in construction on the wall one sees it and it is enough to brush it to make it fall.

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