Florida Termite + WDO Exam
Latest Update
Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A+
Aligned with FDACS Certification Standards
Chapter 482 Florida Statutes | Rule 5E-14 F.A.C. | FIFRA
200 Questions | 9 Sections | Comprehensive Rationales
,Section 1: Termite Biology, Identification, and Taxonomy
1. According to current taxonomic classification, termites belong to which order?
A. Isoptera
B. Blattodea **[CORRECT]
C. Hymenoptera
D. Orthoptera
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Termites are classified under the order Blattodea, sharing this order with cockroaches based on phylogenetic evidence. The order
Isoptera is no longer valid as termites were reclassified within Blattodea. Hymenoptera includes ants, bees, and wasps, while Orthoptera includes
grasshoppers and crickets.
2. Which termite family includes subterranean termites such as the Eastern subterranean termite?
A. Kalotermitidae
B. Rhinotermitidae **[CORRECT]
C. Termitidae
D. Mastotermidae
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The family Rhinotermitidae contains subterranean termites including the Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes).
Kalotermitidae includes drywood and dampwood termites. Termitidae is the largest family but primarily consists of higher termites found in
tropical regions. Mastotermidae contains only one living species found in Australia.
3. Drywood termites and dampwood termites are classified under which family?
A. Rhinotermitidae
B. Kalotermitidae **[CORRECT]
C. Termitidae
D. Hodotermitidae
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Family Kalotermitidae includes drywood termites and many dampwood termite species. These termites do not require soil contact and
live entirely within the wood they infest. Rhinotermitidae are subterranean termites that require soil moisture. This distinction is fundamental to
proper identification and treatment selection under Florida WDO standards.
4. Which termite caste is sterile, wingless, and responsible for foraging and causing essentially all wood damage?
A. Soldiers
B. Alates
C. Workers **[CORRECT]
D. Supplementary reproductives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Workers are the sterile, wingless caste that performs all foraging, feeding the colony through trophallaxis, and causes virtually all
structural wood damage. Soldiers defend the colony with enlarged heads and mandibles but do not feed on wood. Alates are winged reproductives
that swarm to establish new colonies and do not cause structural damage.
5. What process do termite workers use to feed other colony members, including soldiers and the queen?
A. Inoculation
, B. Trophallaxis **[CORRECT]
C. Molting
D. Bivouacking
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trophallaxis is the transfer of food or fluid from one colony member to another through mouth-to-mouth or anus-to-mouth feeding.
This process is essential for distributing nutrients and also spreads slow-acting termiticides such as fipronil (Termidor) and imidacloprid (Premise)
throughout the colony, which is the basis of non-repellent transfer technology central to modern termite control.
6. Which termite caste has enlarged heads and large mandibles and serves as the colony's defense?
A. Workers
B. Alates
C. Soldiers **[CORRECT]
D. Nymphs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soldier termites are morphologically specialized for colony defense, featuring enlarged, hardened heads and large mandibles used to
block gallery openings and attack intruders such as ants. They cannot feed themselves and depend on workers for nourishment via trophallaxis.
Workers lack these specialized defensive structures.
7. Winged termites that swarm from existing colonies to establish new colonies are called:
A. Soldiers
B. Workers
C. Alates (reproductives) **[CORRECT]
D. Nymphs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alates, also known as swarmers or reproductives, are the winged caste that leaves the parent colony during swarming events to mate
and establish new colonies. After swarming, they shed their wings, pair off, and attempt to found new colonies. Identifying alates is critical for
proper WDO inspection and species differentiation from flying ants.
8. Subterranean termites require soil moisture and build protective structures of soil and feces. What are these
structures called?
A. Frass tubes
B. Mud (shelter) tubes **[CORRECT]
C. Galleries
D. Carton nests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subterranean termites construct mud tubes, also called shelter tubes, composed of soil particles, saliva, and fecal material. These tubes
protect termites from desiccation and predators as they travel between the soil and above-ground wood sources. Mud tubes on foundation walls,
piers, and slab penetrations are classic indicators of subterranean termite activity during WDO inspections.
9. A Florida WDO inspector finds pencil-width tubes on a concrete slab foundation. These are most likely evidence
of which type of termite?
A. Drywood termites
B. Subterranean termites **[CORRECT]
C. Powderpost beetles
, D. Carpenter ants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, and slab penetrations are the classic sign of subterranean termite activity. These tubes are built
from soil and fecal material to maintain the high-humidity environment subterranean termites require. Drywood termites do not construct mud
tubes as they live entirely within dry wood without soil contact.
10. Coptotermes colonies can number in the millions and are known to build which type of nest structure above
ground?
A. Mud dauber nests
B. Aerial carton nests **[CORRECT]
C. Frass galleries
D. Wood paste nests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite), established in parts of Florida, can build aerial carton nests above ground.
These nests are constructed from carton material (chewed wood, soil, saliva, and feces) and allow colonies to persist above ground without direct
soil contact, making them particularly destructive and difficult to treat.
11. Drywood termites live entirely inside dry, sound wood and obtain moisture through which mechanism?
A. Free water from the soil
B. Metabolic water production **[CORRECT]
C. Condensation from the air
D. Direct absorption from wood pores
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drywood termites obtain all necessary moisture through metabolic processes, meaning they produce water internally as a byproduct of
digesting cellulose. They require no external moisture source, no soil contact, and can infest wood far above ground level, including attic framing,
furniture, and decorative woodwork. This metabolic independence distinguishes them from subterranean termites.
12. Drywood termites produce distinctive fecal pellets called frass. What is the physical description of these pellets?
A. Fine, talc-like powder
B. Small, hard, six-sided pellets **[CORRECT]
C. Soft, moist sawdust-like material
D. Glue-like fecal plugs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drywood termites produce small, hard, six-sided (hexagonal) fecal pellets that are approximately 1mm long. These pellets are pushed
out of the gallery through kick-out holes and accumulate in piles beneath infested wood. This is one of the primary indicators of drywood termite
infestation during WDO inspections. The six-sided shape distinguishes them from other pest frass.
13. Where are drywood termites most commonly found in a structure during a Florida WDO inspection?
A. Below-grade basements
B. Soil around foundations
C. Attics, furniture, and wood far above ground **[CORRECT]
D. Damp crawlspaces
Correct Answer: C
Latest Update
Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A+
Aligned with FDACS Certification Standards
Chapter 482 Florida Statutes | Rule 5E-14 F.A.C. | FIFRA
200 Questions | 9 Sections | Comprehensive Rationales
,Section 1: Termite Biology, Identification, and Taxonomy
1. According to current taxonomic classification, termites belong to which order?
A. Isoptera
B. Blattodea **[CORRECT]
C. Hymenoptera
D. Orthoptera
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Termites are classified under the order Blattodea, sharing this order with cockroaches based on phylogenetic evidence. The order
Isoptera is no longer valid as termites were reclassified within Blattodea. Hymenoptera includes ants, bees, and wasps, while Orthoptera includes
grasshoppers and crickets.
2. Which termite family includes subterranean termites such as the Eastern subterranean termite?
A. Kalotermitidae
B. Rhinotermitidae **[CORRECT]
C. Termitidae
D. Mastotermidae
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The family Rhinotermitidae contains subterranean termites including the Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes).
Kalotermitidae includes drywood and dampwood termites. Termitidae is the largest family but primarily consists of higher termites found in
tropical regions. Mastotermidae contains only one living species found in Australia.
3. Drywood termites and dampwood termites are classified under which family?
A. Rhinotermitidae
B. Kalotermitidae **[CORRECT]
C. Termitidae
D. Hodotermitidae
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Family Kalotermitidae includes drywood termites and many dampwood termite species. These termites do not require soil contact and
live entirely within the wood they infest. Rhinotermitidae are subterranean termites that require soil moisture. This distinction is fundamental to
proper identification and treatment selection under Florida WDO standards.
4. Which termite caste is sterile, wingless, and responsible for foraging and causing essentially all wood damage?
A. Soldiers
B. Alates
C. Workers **[CORRECT]
D. Supplementary reproductives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Workers are the sterile, wingless caste that performs all foraging, feeding the colony through trophallaxis, and causes virtually all
structural wood damage. Soldiers defend the colony with enlarged heads and mandibles but do not feed on wood. Alates are winged reproductives
that swarm to establish new colonies and do not cause structural damage.
5. What process do termite workers use to feed other colony members, including soldiers and the queen?
A. Inoculation
, B. Trophallaxis **[CORRECT]
C. Molting
D. Bivouacking
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trophallaxis is the transfer of food or fluid from one colony member to another through mouth-to-mouth or anus-to-mouth feeding.
This process is essential for distributing nutrients and also spreads slow-acting termiticides such as fipronil (Termidor) and imidacloprid (Premise)
throughout the colony, which is the basis of non-repellent transfer technology central to modern termite control.
6. Which termite caste has enlarged heads and large mandibles and serves as the colony's defense?
A. Workers
B. Alates
C. Soldiers **[CORRECT]
D. Nymphs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soldier termites are morphologically specialized for colony defense, featuring enlarged, hardened heads and large mandibles used to
block gallery openings and attack intruders such as ants. They cannot feed themselves and depend on workers for nourishment via trophallaxis.
Workers lack these specialized defensive structures.
7. Winged termites that swarm from existing colonies to establish new colonies are called:
A. Soldiers
B. Workers
C. Alates (reproductives) **[CORRECT]
D. Nymphs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alates, also known as swarmers or reproductives, are the winged caste that leaves the parent colony during swarming events to mate
and establish new colonies. After swarming, they shed their wings, pair off, and attempt to found new colonies. Identifying alates is critical for
proper WDO inspection and species differentiation from flying ants.
8. Subterranean termites require soil moisture and build protective structures of soil and feces. What are these
structures called?
A. Frass tubes
B. Mud (shelter) tubes **[CORRECT]
C. Galleries
D. Carton nests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subterranean termites construct mud tubes, also called shelter tubes, composed of soil particles, saliva, and fecal material. These tubes
protect termites from desiccation and predators as they travel between the soil and above-ground wood sources. Mud tubes on foundation walls,
piers, and slab penetrations are classic indicators of subterranean termite activity during WDO inspections.
9. A Florida WDO inspector finds pencil-width tubes on a concrete slab foundation. These are most likely evidence
of which type of termite?
A. Drywood termites
B. Subterranean termites **[CORRECT]
C. Powderpost beetles
, D. Carpenter ants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, and slab penetrations are the classic sign of subterranean termite activity. These tubes are built
from soil and fecal material to maintain the high-humidity environment subterranean termites require. Drywood termites do not construct mud
tubes as they live entirely within dry wood without soil contact.
10. Coptotermes colonies can number in the millions and are known to build which type of nest structure above
ground?
A. Mud dauber nests
B. Aerial carton nests **[CORRECT]
C. Frass galleries
D. Wood paste nests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite), established in parts of Florida, can build aerial carton nests above ground.
These nests are constructed from carton material (chewed wood, soil, saliva, and feces) and allow colonies to persist above ground without direct
soil contact, making them particularly destructive and difficult to treat.
11. Drywood termites live entirely inside dry, sound wood and obtain moisture through which mechanism?
A. Free water from the soil
B. Metabolic water production **[CORRECT]
C. Condensation from the air
D. Direct absorption from wood pores
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drywood termites obtain all necessary moisture through metabolic processes, meaning they produce water internally as a byproduct of
digesting cellulose. They require no external moisture source, no soil contact, and can infest wood far above ground level, including attic framing,
furniture, and decorative woodwork. This metabolic independence distinguishes them from subterranean termites.
12. Drywood termites produce distinctive fecal pellets called frass. What is the physical description of these pellets?
A. Fine, talc-like powder
B. Small, hard, six-sided pellets **[CORRECT]
C. Soft, moist sawdust-like material
D. Glue-like fecal plugs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drywood termites produce small, hard, six-sided (hexagonal) fecal pellets that are approximately 1mm long. These pellets are pushed
out of the gallery through kick-out holes and accumulate in piles beneath infested wood. This is one of the primary indicators of drywood termite
infestation during WDO inspections. The six-sided shape distinguishes them from other pest frass.
13. Where are drywood termites most commonly found in a structure during a Florida WDO inspection?
A. Below-grade basements
B. Soil around foundations
C. Attics, furniture, and wood far above ground **[CORRECT]
D. Damp crawlspaces
Correct Answer: C
