Termites (Isoptera)

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Miscellaneous Invertebrates Page | Jeff's Nature Pages


Termites (Isoptera) Eastern Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes flavipes)
Orange Co., NC
13 Mar 2008

Superficially looking like white ants, termites are not closely related to ants at all. Termites are traditionally classified in the Order Isoptera, meaning "same wings", because their front wings and hind wings are very similar (on individuals that actually have wings). Between 3000 and 4000 species are estimated to exist worldwide, and most of them feed on dead plant material (wood, leaves, etc.).

Termites (Isoptera) Eastern Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes flavipes)
Orange Co., NC
13 Mar 2008

Termites are colonial, social insects with a caste system. Of the 3 individual in the photo at the left, the upper left insect is a soldier, with large jaws to protect the colony. The lower left individual is a worker and is involved with foraging for food, nest maintenance, etc. The individual on the right with tiny wings is a nymph.


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Created on ... Mar 14, 2008 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com