Subterranean Termite Alate (De-alate)

Natural Habitat

Typically found in soil, rotting wood, and inside structural timber of buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Cellulose-based materials found in wood, paper, cardboard, and cotton.

Behavior Patterns

The image shows 'tandem running,' where a male and female pair move together after shedding their wings to find a nesting site. They are social insects that live in complex underground colonies.

Risks & Benefits

Poses a significant risk to homeowners by causing structural damage to wooden buildings. In the ecosystem, they are beneficial as decomposers that break down dead wood and cycle nutrients into the soil.

Identified on: 5/18/2026