There are numerous small hairs on the wings of these comparatively large swarmers. Alates are attracted to lights, so they are usually found near windows, light fixtures, window sills, and spider webs around well lighted areas. Because the FST colony contains a larger soldier proportion than native subterranean termites, infestations with many soldiers is a clue to its presence. A single colony of C. formosanus may produce over 70,000 alates. After a brief flight, alates shed their wings.
Females immediately search for nesting sites with males following closely behind.
When the pair find a moist crevice with wooden materials, they form the loyal chamber and lay approximately 15 to 30 eggs. Within two to four weeks, young termites hatched from the eggs. The reproductives nurse the first group of young termites until they reach third instar. One to two months later, the queen lay the second batch eggs which would be eventually nursed by termites from the first egg batch. It may take three to five years before a colony reach substantial number to cause severe damage and produce alates.