Both this species and the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) are destructive pests native to Asia, but have spread to other parts of the world including the United States.

In the West Indies, it has become established in some natural woodland habitats, but in Florida, it seems to be restricted to manmade structures, trees growing close to them, and boats.

[1] Chouvenc & Helmick 2015 find that C. gestroi readily hybridizes with another invasive termite in Florida, C.

The soldier is larger and also white, but the ovoid head, the forward-pointing mandibles, the prothorax, and the front segments of the abdomen are dark brown.

In appearance, C. gestroi is very similar to C. formosanus, but they can be differentiated under the microscope, with the number of hairs on the head of the soldier differing in the two species.

The king mates with the queen, whose chief function over a life of many years is the continuous laying of eggs.

They are unlikely to find a suitable place to start a colony inside a building, but in the open, each female looks for an appropriate site with damp soil and moist timber.

[9] These termites are voracious feeders and consume wood, cardboard, and paper and sometimes even fabric.

They eat structural timbers from the inside outwards, leaving a thin film of surface wood which may display a blistered appearance.