A global threat knocking on the doors of major cities: ULB professors warn against invasive termites – Newsroom – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [Aller au contenu](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-04-D4E6Ss3k.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-06-H_YyMKlQ.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-01-CEiLnzkH.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/fr) - [ Découvrir ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance) - [ CIVIS, c'est quoi ? ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Notre travail ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision & Valeurs ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Gouvernance et Gestion ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Qui est qui? ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [ Ressources ](https://civis.eu/fr/resources) - [ Apprendre ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Apprentissage flexible ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Programmes de Master ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff Weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Étudier à l'étranger ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [ TRACEE ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/tracee) [ CIVIS Museum University Forum ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Enseigner ](https://civis.eu/fr/teach) - [ Appels à projets ](https://civis.eu/fr/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovez dans votre enseignement ](https://civis.eu/fr/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Ressources pour les enseignants ](https://civis.eu/fr/teach/resources-for-educators) [ CIVIS Invited to Begin Grant Agreement Preparations for New Erasmus+ Funding Phase ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/civis-invited-to-begin-grant-agreement-preparations-for-new-erasmus-funding-phase) [ Sept années de CIVIS : d'un projet ambitieux à une communauté universitaire florissante ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/seven-years-of-civis-from-an-ambitious-project-to-a-thriving-academic-community) - [ Recherche ](https://civis.eu/fr/Recherche) - [ Collaboration en recherche ](https://civis.eu/fr/Recherche/Collaboration-en-recherche) - [ Carrières, réseaux et mobilités ](https://civis.eu/fr/Recherche/Carrières-réseaux-et-projets-de-recherche) - [ Ressources pour les chercheur·euse·s ](https://civis.eu/fr/Recherche/Ressources-pour-les-chercheur-euse-s) [ CIVIS calls for strengthening Africa-Europe academic mobility through a visa policy for science partnerships ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/civis-calls-for-strengthening-africa-europe-academic-mobility-through-a-visa-policy-for-science-partnerships) [ CIVIS3i: Five Years Advancing Research Excellence Across CIVIS Alliance ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/civis3i-five-years-advancing-research-excellence-across-civis-alliance) - [ Connecter ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter/civis-days) - [ Société civile ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Nous contacter ](https://civis.eu/fr/contactez-nous) - [ Presse & Branding ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter/coin-presse-identite-marque) [ Les ambassadeur·rices CIVIS au cœur d’un projet pilote de newsroom ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/civis-student-ambassadors-take-the-lead-inside-the-newsroom-pilot-project) [ Construire une alliance efficace : cinq enseignements tirés des unités CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/building-an-alliance-that-works-five-lessons-from-the-civis-units) [ Histoires ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom) fr - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) Menu - [Découvrir](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ CIVIS, c'est quoi ? ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Notre travail ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision & Valeurs ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Gouvernance et Gestion ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Qui est qui? ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Apprendre](https://civis.eu/fr/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Apprentissage flexible ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Programmes de Master ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff Weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Étudier à l'étranger ](https://civis.eu/fr/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Enseigner](https://civis.eu/fr/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Appels à projets ](https://civis.eu/fr/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovez dans votre enseignement ](https://civis.eu/fr/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Ressources pour les enseignants ](https://civis.eu/fr/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Recherche](https://civis.eu/fr/Recherche) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Collaboration en recherche ](https://civis.eu/fr/Recherche/Collaboration-en-recherche) - [ Carrières, réseaux et mobilités ](https://civis.eu/fr/Recherche/Carrières-réseaux-et-projets-de-recherche) - [ Ressources pour les chercheur·euse·s ](https://civis.eu/fr/Recherche/Ressources-pour-les-chercheur-euse-s) - [Connecter](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter/civis-days) - [ Société civile ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Nous contacter ](https://civis.eu/fr/contactez-nous) - [ Presse & Branding ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter/coin-presse-identite-marque) [ Histoires ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom) fr - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/global-threat-major-cities-ulb-professors-warn-against-invasive-termites) 1. [The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom) 2. A global threat knocking on the doors of major cities: ULB professors warn against invasive termites A global threat knocking on the doors of major cities: ULB professors warn against invasive termites ==================================================================================================== 20 mai 2024 With global warming and the increasing interconnections between cities and ecosystems near and far, invasive termites could colonise cities around the world. This is the warning two professors from the Université libre de Bruxelles' Evolutionary Biology and Ecology Laboratory (Faculty of Science) are triggering with their new study. The threat would entail considerable costs, with damage caused by invasive termites already estimated at more than 40 billion dollars a year. ![](/storage/files/ulb-termites.png)©ULBTermites, often caricatured as voracious wood pests, actually play a key role as ecological engineers within tropical forests. Only a fraction of them cause significant damage to homes. However, the recent study [published in Neobiota journal](https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/115411/) by Edouard Duquesne and Denis Fournier show that invasive termites could colonise cities all over the world, from hot tropical zones such as Miami, São Paulo, Lagos, Jakarta and Darwin to temperate metropolises such as Paris, Brussels, London, New York and Tokyo. Furthermore, the global trade in goods, including wooden furniture transported by private ships, offers unsuspected routes for these silent invaders to travel to our homes: > *An isolated termite colony lurking in a small piece of wood could travel clandestinely from the West Indies to your flat in Cannes. It could, for example, hide in furniture aboard a yacht moored in the port of Cannes during the Film Festival,"* explain the researchers. We need to prevent and detect further invasions before irreversible damage occurs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The researchers call for rapid action on the part of political decision-makers and the general public. Large cities, whatever their climate, must implement strict termite control measures to protect homes and infrastructure: > *At a time when we are already facing the challenges of a rapidly changing climate, awareness and proactive measures are our best defence against the creeping threat of invasive termites. Citizens can play a crucial role by using technology, such as AI-assisted applications like iNaturalist, to detect and report the presence of termites, turning ordinary residents into vigilant guardians of their environment*," stress the researchers. Therefore, the study concludes, the matter can no longer be postponed, as the damages are irreversible. Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/ulb-students-podcast-800x600.jpg?token=1407eb1085f4f87e8ae7380632871c8e)In between classes, students take the mic CIVIS Highlights 24 septembre 2026 ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/in-between-classes-students-take-the-mic) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/brulau-800x600.jpg?token=a7e763ecd7ac25cced035c852cb8bc24)Scaling Collaboration – BruLau expands at CIVIS level Communication and Dissemination 25 août 2026 ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/scaling-collaboration-brulau-expands-at-civis-level) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-3i-800x600.jpg?token=cdaaf78fd06e8e65fdfb5b50ef1a8355)CIVIS3i: Five Years Advancing Research Excellence Across CIVIS Alliance Alliance projects 28 juillet 2026 ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/civis3i-five-years-advancing-research-excellence-across-civis-alliance) [ Découvrez toutes nos aventures ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom) [ Stockholm University signs declaration on open research information ](%20https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/stockholm-university-signs-declaration-on-open-research-information%20) [ Taste of CIVIS: Discover the flavours of our European University Alliance! ](%20https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/taste-of-civis-discover-the-flavours-of-our-european-university-alliance%20) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither can be held responsible for them. ### Personnes - [ Étudiant·e ](https://civis.eu/fr/i-am-a-student) - [ Académique et chercheur·euse ](https://civis.eu/fr/je-suis-academique-chercheur-euse) - [ Administrateur·rice ](https://civis.eu/fr/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Société civile ](https://civis.eu/fr/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Coin presse ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter/coin-presse-identite-marque) ### Liens utiles - [ Ressources ](https://civis.eu/fr/resources) - [ CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/fr/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ Initiative des universités européennes ](https://civis.eu/fr/european-universities-initiative) - [ Événements passés ](https://civis.eu/fr/past-events) - [ Contact ](https://civis.eu/fr/contactez-nous) [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/fr/connecter/newsletters) ### Social networks - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ) © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/fr/politique-de-cookies) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/fr/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search