Native to: China
Introduced to: South Africa, Hawaii, the continental U.S.

Mode of Transportation: Arrived on ships from the Pacific.

Formosan Termites are the most destructive timber pests in the U.S. They can form huge nests of millions, which aggressively seek out and devour timber, including houses, ships, and barges. They often cause power failures by chewing through electrical cable… This is a termite to be feared: it is known to cause major damage to homes and buildings within a few months of infestation.