Will "The Stronger One" Appear... Two New Termite Species Introduced This Year Alone

Possibility of Another White Ant Invasion
Detected 30 Times in Quarantine Process Since 2013

This year, two species of invasive termites have been confirmed in South Korea, raising concerns about quarantine and pest control. Amid this, there are indications that another invasive termite species may have already entered the country or is likely to do so in the future.

In particular, the so-called ‘Taiwan termite,’ known for its rapid reproduction and large colony size, is considered an invasive species that requires caution.

Termite
Photo by Korea Forest Service

According to data received on the 19th by Woo Won-sik, a member of the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, termites have been detected 30 times during import quarantine inspections since 2013.

All of these were found during the import process of wood and food products.

Although the 'Coptotermes Formosanus' species, commonly known as the Taiwan termite, has not been detected, termites of the related genus Coptotermes were identified seven times, including cases where identification (determining taxonomic position and species information) failed.

Previously, two species not listed among termites were reported: the drywood termite family Kalotermitidae and Cryptotermes Domesticus species reported in a house in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, last May, and the so-called western drywood termite (tentative name) of the Incisitermes genus in the drywood termite family, with several colonies found last month in Changwon, Gyeongnam.

These two species were discovered and reported by the public but were not detected during quarantine inspections.

Impact of Increased International Exchange and Rising Temperatures

[Photo by Ministry of Environment]

Recently, in Jinhae-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam, ‘invasive termites’ have been repeatedly found since September. These are minor species of the Incisitermes genus in the drywood termite family, which chew on wood indiscriminately. This is the first time that this type of termite, native to California, USA, has been confirmed to inhabit South Korea.

According to the National Institute of Ecology under the Ministry of Environment, the number of invasive plant and animal species entering South Korea increased from 894 species in 2009 to 2,653 species in 2021, growing at an average annual rate of 16%. Among these, 707 species (26.6%) are considered to have established themselves in the Korean ecosystem.

The main reason for the increase in invasive species is the growth of international exchange. According to the National Statistical Office’s National Statistical Portal (KOSIS), international cargo volume reached 1.28 billion tons in 2020, a 74% increase compared to 2004.

Termites are known to be difficult to control because they mainly live in wood or underground, making them hard to detect. Moreover, due to climate change and rising temperatures, even highly invasive termite species that were previously unable to survive are now appearing.

Recent temperature increases have also influenced the influx of invasive species. South Korea has four distinct seasons, and for invasive species to establish themselves, they must endure severe cold. However, over the past 50 years (1974?2023), the average January temperature has risen from -2.2°C to -0.6°C, an increase of 1.6°C, increasing the likelihood of invasive species establishing themselves.

According to the National Institute of Biological Resources, termites are both beneficial insects and pests. In nature, they help recycle soil by decomposing dead wood, fallen leaves, and humus containing cellulose, returning nutrients to the environment.

However, they pose a threat to wooden buildings and cultural heritage. A survey on termite damage to nationally designated wooden architectural cultural properties conducted by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage recorded 324 cases of damage from 2016 to 2019.

Globally, the economic cost caused by termites is estimated at $40 billion (approximately 54 trillion KRW) annually.

Taiwan termite. [Photo by Yonhap News Agency (provided by reader)]

The Taiwan termite mainly inhabits areas where the average January temperature is above 4°C. Considering that it is a subterranean termite living underground, it is estimated that it can survive in the southern coastal areas where underground temperatures remain above 5°C.

Among termites, the Taiwan termite reproduces rapidly and forms colonies numbering in the millions, requiring significant management efforts. This is a considerable scale compared to western drywood termite colonies of about 3,000 individuals and Domesticus colonies of about 300 individuals.

Therefore, there are calls to strengthen quarantine and pest control systems to prepare thoroughly. In Japan, where wooden buildings are common and termite damage is severe, the Building Standards Act Enforcement Decree specifies pest control methods.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.