Practice 8 Eastern Subterranean Termite exam questions with instant feedback and cited explanations.
Which caste of the Reticulitermes flavipes colony is typically comprised of only 1–2% of the total population?
Answer: A colony has three main castes: reproductives..., soldiers, and workers — and soldiers are usually only 1–2% of a Reticulitermes colony.
How does the impact of Reticulitermes flavipes change based on its location?
Answer: UC IPM/UGA explains that in the wild subterranean termites are a key part of forest ecosystems, breaking cellulose into the basic building blocks plants and animals can reuse. It comes down to location: helpful recycling deadfall in the woods, costly inside a building.
Which of the following is considered a primary sign of infestation that people notice most often?
Answer: The sign you are most likely to spot is the mud (shelter) tube — UC IPM ranks these the infestation evidence people notice most often.
Which physical feature is used to identify a worker termite?
Answer: Workers are wingless, eyeless, soft-bodied, white to cream, and about 1/4–3/8 inch long.
When identifying a swarming insect, how can you distinguish a termite from a winged ant based on physical characteristics?
Answer: Per Kansas State Extension, termites have straight (unbent) antennae, four equal-length wings, and a thick waist; ants have bent antennae, mismatched wings, and a pinched waist.
What are the two main professional treatment approaches identified by UF/IFAS for subterranean termites?
Answer: UF/IFAS identifies the two main options as non-repellent liquid termiticides and chitin-synthesis-inhibitor (CSI) baits.
What is the typical lifespan of a worker termite according to UGA?
Answer: UGA puts a worker's lifespan at about 1–4 years.
According to UF/IFAS, how long does a colony typically need to mature before it begins producing alates?
Answer: UF/IFAS notes a colony needs five to ten years before producing alates.