Gangnam-gu's 'Invasive White Termites' Gnawing on Trees, No Spread Detected Nearby

Estimated Inflow Through Imported Building Materials from at Least 5 Years Ago
Intergovernmental Epidemiological Investigation Team Completely Eradicates 159-Strong Colony

Regarding the recent discovery of invasive white termites gnawing on wood in a residence in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, the government announced on the 24th that "no spread beyond the affected household has been confirmed."

On the same day, the government released the results of a joint government epidemiological investigation conducted from the 22nd to the 23rd concerning the invasive white termites.

The joint investigation involved the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the Ministry of Environment (National Institute of Ecology, National Institute of Biological Resources, Hangang River Basin Environmental Office), the Cultural Heritage Administration (National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage), the Korea Forest Service (National Institute of Forest Science), Gangnam District Office, and Gyeongsang National University (Professor Lee Won-hoon).

As a result of the epidemiological investigation conducted on the affected household, neighboring households, and surrounding areas, a total of 159 colonies were confirmed and completely eradicated, including 100 reproductive individuals such as queens found in the indoor door frame identified as the habitat, in addition to the initially reported 94 termites.

Experts participating in the investigation explained, "The occurrence of the invasive white termites is limited to the affected household, and no spread to surrounding areas has been confirmed so far," adding, "Given the ecological characteristics of the genus Cryptotermes, the possibility of termites escaping outside the building and establishing themselves in the outdoor environment is very low."

According to the experts, the invasive white termites discovered this time are tentatively named 'drywood termites' and are presumed to have been introduced at least five years ago through termite-infected wooden building materials or furniture used during construction, surviving indoors in a warm environment since then.

Lee Jong-ho, head of the Plant Protection Division at the Quarantine Agency who participated in the investigation, stated, “We will continue cooperation among related agencies to prevent the domestic introduction of invasive white termites and other invasive pests.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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