
Community identification
Termite
Isoptera (Infraorder)
- Order & Family
- Blattodea; various families (e.g., Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae)
- Size
- 5 mm to 15 mm for alates (swarmers)
Natural Habitat
Moist soil, decaying wood structures, or within colonies in residential/commercial buildings.
Diet & Feeding
Cellulose-based materials such as wood, leaf litter, soil, and manure; they rely on symbiotic protozoa/bacteria for digestion.
Behavior Patterns
Social insects living in highly organized colonies; this individual is a 'de-alate' which has sheds its wings after a mating swarm to seek a nesting site.
Risks & Benefits
Major economic risks due to structural damage to wooden buildings and furniture; ecological benefits include nutrient cycling and soil aeration.