Termite Alate (Swapper)

Natural Habitat

Found globally in soil, decaying wood, or inside wooden structures. They emerge in large groups during 'swarms' to find new nesting sites.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily cellulose found in wood, leaf litter, and soil. They use symbiotic protozoa or bacteria in their gut to digest it.

Behavior Patterns

Alates are the reproductive members of a colony. They swarm after heavy rains or seasonal shifts to mate, after which they shed their wings and attempt to establish a new colony as king and queen.

Risks & Benefits

While they play a vital ecological role in decomposing dead wood and aerating soil, they are a major structural pest capable of causing significant damage to homes and buildings.

Identified on: 5/22/2026