Termite Alate (Swarmers)

Underground nests or within wooden structures, emerging for dispersal flights

Cellulose-based materials such as wood, leaf litter, and soil organic matter

Winged reproductive termites depart from established colonies in large numbers (swarming) to find mates and start new colonies, typically following rain and during warm weather. They briefly possess four wings of equal length which they discard after landing.

Risks: Significant structural damage to buildings and wooden components. Benefits: Decomposers in the ecosystem, breaking down dead wood and returning nutrients to the soil while aerating the earth.