Termites

Scientific name:
(Order: Isoptera)

Facts: Worker subterranean termites, Reticulitermes spp., are pale-colored and soft bodied. Like all termites they have a thick "waist" and bead-like antennae. These characters can separate them from ants which have thin "waists" and elbowed antennae. The reproductive forms of termites have wings with the front and hind wings nearly identical. They shed their wings after they are done with the nuptial flights. Reproductive termites are typically darker in color than the pale workers.

Subterranean termites are structural pests of buildings and tunnel into wood. They have protozoans in their guts that digest the cellulose in wood. Termites are important recycles of dead wood.

Photo credit: Extension Entomology, Texas A&M University