Winged Termite (Swarmer)
Scientific Name: Reticulitermes flavipes (Eastern Subterranean Termite)
Order & Family: Isoptera (or Blattodea); Rhinotermitidae
Size: Approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch (including wings).
Natural Habitat
Underground in soil near moisture, typically nested in decaying wood or structural lumber.
Diet & Feeding
Cellulose material, including wood, leaf litter, and paper products.
Behavior Patterns
Swarmers emerge in large numbers during the spring to find mates and establish new colonies; they are often mistaken for flying ants but have straight antennae and equal-sized wings.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem by breaking down dead wood and aerating soil; however, they pose a significant risk to human structures by causing structural damage to wooden buildings.
Identified on: 4/24/2026