Florida

Scientists discover hybrid termite species in Florida

Published

8 months ago

May 27, 2025

Scientists discover hybrid termite species in Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – University of Florida scientists discovered two different termite species are breeding to create a hybrid termite.

The backstory:

A new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study confirms that hybrid termite colonies have been established in South Florida. Researchers told FOX 13 these hybrid termites are the result of Formosan subterranean termites and Asian subterranean termites coexisting and mating with each other.

“This is kind of a crazy story to look into, that the two most destructive termites in the world are hybridizing here in Florida — which is not great news, I’ll be honest with you,” said Thomas Chouvenc, associate professor of urban entomology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center and lead author of the study. “It’s going to have evolutionary consequences over the long term.”

Studies to learn more about these hybrid termites – and their potential – are still in the works, he added.

OTHER NEWS: Invest 90-E designated as Tropical Storm Alvin expected to form off Mexico’s coast this week

“It’s not going to be a super termite like some would like to call it, but the reality is, even if it’s a mule, it can still give a good kick, I would argue,” Chouvenc told FOX 13. “So the potential (to cause) damage is probably kind of the same as either the Formosan or the Asian subterranean termite.”

In order to have hybrid termites, both parent termites must live in the same area. This UF/IFAS termite map shows a large presence of both Formosan subterranean termites and Asian subterranean termites in southeast Florida.

What they’re saying:

“We went for genetic analysis, and we confirmed that, yes, these winged termites had half the genes from one species and half the other one. And we have been able to confirm this in 2022, in 2023, 2024, and also this year in April, where we collected these hybrid wing termites,” Chouvenc said. “This tells us that now we have established hybrid colonies in the field in southeast Florida.”

That same UF/IFAS map shows the presence of both termite species in the Bay Area, too.

“We expect that it may just be a matter of time before the hybrid termites between the two is also established in Tampa,” Chouvenc said.

According to the map, Asian subterranean termites have been reported in South Tampa close to MacDill Air Force Base near the water. Chouvenc told FOX 13 he suspects they got there after infecting a boat, because his studies have also shown that water vessels can unknowingly spread these insects.

“It is remarkable how much termites can find a way to survive in these boats as long as there’s sufficient amount of wood and there’s enough moisture,” Chouvenc said. “And if you have a boat, you know there’s going to be moisture on your boat somewhere at some point.”

Both boat, and homeowners are encouraged to always keep an eye out for evidence of termites on their property.

Why you should care:

“The hybridization may not be a problem for us in the short term. It may be kind of a quirky biological story to tell,” Chouvenc told FOX 13. “But the reality is, if we look at the very long term, these populations that have mixed genetic lineages may inherit the good genes from both species.”

“It’s a good time to remind homeowners in Florida that termites are part of our reality,” he added.

The Source: FOX 13 reporter Ariel Plasencia conducted the interview and gathered the information for this story.

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Florida

Florida cold snap prompts AAA warnings for dead car batteries, frozen pipes

Published

10 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Florida cold snap prompts AAA warnings for dead car batteries, frozen pipes

ORLANDO, Fla. – With overnight temperatures expected to drop into the 20s and 30s across parts of Florida, AAA is urging drivers and homeowners to act quickly to safeguard their vehicles and homes.

“Whenever temperatures drop this quickly, the calls start pouring in. Dead batteries become extremely common,” Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said in a news release. “At the same time, homeowners face the risk of frozen pipes that can burst and cause thousands of dollars in damage.”

Cold weather can severely reduce a car battery’s ability to hold a charge, especially if the battery is older or weakened, and AAA said it expects a spike in roadside assistance calls for dead batteries during the cold snap.

Jenkins added, “Cold weather is tough on older batteries. If yours gives out, AAA can come to you. Our technicians can test, charge, or even replace your battery on the spot for members who request help.”

AAA recommends having your battery tested if it’s more than three years old, listening for slow engine cranking as a warning sign, and replacing batteries that show signs of weakness.

Frozen or burst pipe prevention

Homeowners should also be aware that freezing temperatures can cause water inside pipes to freeze and expand, potentially rupturing plumbing hidden behind walls or under sinks. Multiple nights of hard freeze conditions increase this risk.

To prevent frozen or burst pipes, AAA advises the following:

Let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving.
Open cabinet doors to allow warm air circulation.
Keep the thermostat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Know the location of your main water shutoff valve.

Keeping tabs on tire pressure

Cold weather also lowers tire pressure, often by 1 to 2 PSI for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Underinflated tires can reduce fuel economy, affect handling, and increase the risk of blowouts.

[WATCH: Tire pressure light on? Why cold weather can set it off]

AAA suggests:

Check tire pressure in the morning when tires are cold.
Inflate tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI found on the driver’s door jamb.
Don’t rely solely on tire-pressure monitoring systems.
Inspect tires for wear or damage.

“With weather like this, preparation is everything,” Jenkins said. “A few simple steps today can prevent a breakdown on the road or a disaster at home tomorrow.”

AAA recommends members download the AAA mobile app for fast access to roadside help, weather updates, and safety information.

To schedule a vehicle inspection, click here to locate a nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility.

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Florida

Hundreds gather in Pensacola in ‘rejection of ICE’

Published

22 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Hundreds gather in Pensacola in ‘rejection of ICE’

A large crowd of several hundred people gathered in downtown Pensacola on Monday afternoon in protest of ICE and its actions in Minnesota.

As the sun set over MLK Plaza, protestors had spilled out of the park and to three of the corners surrounding Palafox and Garden streets. Many holding signs, some chanting, the message was the same—get rid of ICE.

“We’re out here today in rejection of the violence happening in Minnesota between ICE and working class people,” said volunteer Dashawn McKenzie with the Pensacola Liberation Center. “We saw the murder of Alex Pretti and the murder of Renee Good. We’re standing in contrast to that saying we want ICE off our streets and we want the government to stop spending our tax dollars on ICE that is murdering people and deporting our neighbors because we have no issue with our immigrant neighbors.”

Opposition to ICE has grown steadily in recent days after federal immigration agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis this month, including Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who treated veterans, and Renee Nicole Good, a poet and mother of three.

Republican lawmakers have increasingly called for investigations into the killing of Pretti as Democrats refuse to fund the Department of Homeland Security despite the likelihood of a government shutdown.

After a call with Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz on Monday, Trump said he would send border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to lead some operations on the ground.

Pensacola protest calls for an end to ICE video

Video shows Pensacola residents protest in a show of solidarity with Minneapolis

The protest on Monday was one of several planned across Florida this week, and the first of two in Pensacola. Organizers say they plan to hold a second protest on Friday.

During Monday’s event, there was no visible counter-protest other than a couple stray comments from vehicles driving by. That didn’t surprise McKenzie, who said he has seen both sides of the aisle come together in recent days over ICE actions.

“I’ve talked to a million right-wingers and I know people want us to all hate each other like it’s a Facebook comment session war, but in reality most people don’t their government murdering people. Even Second Amendment advocates are standing in defense of Alex Pretti, working class people on the right are like ‘Hey, I may like Trump ,but I don’t like this.’ That’s the reality of what’s happening.”

USA TODAY reporters contributed to this story.

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Florida

Man arrested after punching Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost at Sundance Film Festival event, police say

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Man arrested after punching Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost at Sundance Film Festival event, police say

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