Overview And Current Status of Non-Native Termites (Isoptera) in Florida§

The origins and status of the non-endemic termite species established in Florida are reviewed including Cryptotermes brevis and Incisitermes minor (Kalotermitidae), Coptotermes formosanus, Co. gestroi, and Heteroterm.es sp. (Rhinotermitidae), and Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae). A lone colony of Marginitermes hubbardi (Kalotermitidae) collected near Tampa was destroyed in 2002. Amature colony of an arboreal exotic, Nasutitermes acajutlae, was destroyed aboard a dry docked sailboat in Fort Pierce in 2012. Records used in this study were obtained entirely from voucher specimen data maintained in the University of Florida Termite Collection. Current distribution maps of each species in Florida are presented. Invasion history suggests that established populations of exotic termites, without human intervention, will continue to spread and flourish unabatedly in Florida within climatically suitable regions.