Termites are known to be a major threat to buildings and infrastructure worldwide, and the changing climate is making them even more problematic. Research published in the journal Neobiota has shown that as temperatures rise due to climate change, destructive termites could invade cities from Miami to New York. This poses a significant risk, as termites currently cost 40 billion USD per year worldwide.
There are over 2,000 species of termites on Earth, each displaying high diversity in behavior, size, and preferred habitat. Termites primarily feed on cellulose, the main component in wood, which they can digest with the help of symbiotic microorganisms in their intestines. Many termite species are invasive, including the Taiwanese subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, which originates from East Asia and has established invasive populations throughout the United States.
Researchers modeling 10 invasive termite species found that as temperatures increase in the coming decades, termites will spread farther and tend to live in more urban areas due to urbanization. The dense and interconnected nature of urban populations creates a perfect environment for termite invasion, with some American cities at particular risk. The spread of termites can also occur globally through the shipping network, especially by transporting wooden furniture infested with termite populations.
In conclusion, researchers hope their findings can help cities and planners take proactive measures to protect homes and infrastructure against termite invasions. It is essential to address this issue given the significant economic damage that termites can cause to buildings, crops, and forestry by rapidly weakening wooden structures as temperatures rise and urban areas expand. Effective mitigation strategies must be implemented urgently to minimize the impact of these destructive insects on human societies worldwide.
