With respect to the Coleoptera, the order of Isoptera – commonly known as termites – is even more fearsome. They shun light, and it is difficult to distinguish their presence by simply looking at the exterior of the wood. The result is that the wood can already have undergone an attack and be quite weakened, even though it looks whole. They live in communities often made up of millions of individuals and their infestation is helped along by warm, humid environments. For example, in Italy termite attacks have been frequently found in the central-southern areas. Most common here is the family Kalotermes flavicollis and Reticulitermes lucifugus. |