MIAMI (AP) — Two exotic termite species apparently have found love halfway around the world in Florida.
Asian and Formosan subterranean termites are two of the most destructive termite species in the world, responsible for much of the estimated $40 billion in economic losses attributed to termites annually. Each established colonies here over the last several decades, but experts believed their aboveground mating swarms launched in different months.
Until University of Florida researcher Thomas Chouvenc noticed something unusual about the termite swarms in his Fort Lauderdale neighborhood two years ago.
The two species were flying around looking for mates at the same time — and they were looking at each other.
The research is preliminary, but the idea of a hybrid termite carrying the destructive capabilities of two invasive species worries experts.
