Bug Identifier
Termite
Community identification

Termite

Isoptera (Infraorder)

Order & Family
Blattodea; various families (e.g., Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae)
Size
5 mm to 15 mm for alates (swarmers)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.