An Analysis of the Distribution of Termites in the Korean Peninsula

This study analyzed the distribution and species of termites living in Korea. Eighty-five localities were selected for the study, and subterranean termites were collected from three colonies per locality. The morphological and genetic species analysis of the collected termites revealed three species: Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis, Reticulitermes kanmonensis, and Reticulitermes speratus speratus. The drywood termite found in Jinhae-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam, was analyzed as Incisitermes minor. By looking at the temperature of the termites’ habitat, the air temperature in Korea, and the ground temperature, all of the termites analyzed were found to be suitable for living in Korea. If the temperature rises further due to global warming, the number of active days of termites and the introduction of new termite species will increase. Therefore, damage to wooden cultural heritage, wooden facilities, and wooden structures caused by the existing subterranean termites and alien termite species that attack dry wood is a concern, and measures should be taken accordingly.