First report of reticulitermes lucifugus corsicus in the piedmont region of Italy

The presence of subterranean termites in northern Italy is not common, and generally limited to urban areas where winter microclimatic conditions are milder than in the surrounding natural environment. To date there is only one report of termite presence for Piedmont, doubtfully identified as Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi). The present paper relates on the recent finding of Reticulitermes spp. termites in two additional locations, where they caused damage to buildings. Termites were identified as Reticulitermes lucifugus lucifugus (Rossi) and Reticulitermes lucifugus corsicus Clement using mitochondrial DNA analysis. This is the first report of R. lucifugus corsicus in northern Italy. Both infestations could have originated either from human-mediated introduction or from survival of relictual populations.