Yamato Termite - Yamato Termite

Japanese: ヤマトシロアリ - やまとしろあり

A pest of wooden buildings, it is often found on felled roots and is common throughout Japan south of Asahikawa City, Hokkaido (illustration). It is an insect of the Rhinotermitidae family. The soldier termite (illustration) has a long, parallel head, and the frontal gland has degenerated and does not secrete mucus, making it distinct from the Formosan termite. This species is weak to dryness and cannot transport water, so it always lives in damp wood. It builds a simple, mesh-like nest in the affected area, but does not have a fixed nest. When it dries out, it moves to a damp place, and when it is hotter than 30°C or in the cold winter months, it moves to the underground or heartwood.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

木造建築物の害虫で伐根にも多く，北海道旭川市以南の日本各地にふつう（イラスト）。ミゾガシラシロアリ科の昆虫。兵アリ（イラスト）の頭部は両側平行で細長く，額腺は退化して粘液を分泌しないことでイエシロアリと区別できる。本種は乾燥に弱く，水を運ぶ能力がないのでつねに湿った材中で生活し，加害部に網目状の簡単な巣をつくるが特別の固定巣はなく，乾燥してくると湿った場所へ移動し，また30℃以上の高温や冬の低温期には地下部や心材部などへ移る。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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