New research sheds light on the hidden biology and behavior of the western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor), a major structural pest whose life cycle has been difficult to study because it lives entirely inside wood. Conducted by UC Riverside entomologist Dong-Hwan Choe, the research uses newly captured photos and videos to document behaviors that are rarely observed, including proctodeal trophallaxis, in which termites share food and essential gut microbes through mouth-to-anus feeding. The study also provides visual documentation of egg development and hatching, offering rare insight into the species’ early life stages. These findings help fill long-standing knowledge gaps and provide valuable educational and practical information for researchers, students, and pest management professionals seeking better understanding and control of drywood termites.