Subterranean Termite Alates (Swarmer)

Natural Habitat

They live in underground colonies or within moist wooden structures. They require contact with soil to maintain moisture level and survive.

Diet & Feeding

They feed on cellulose-based materials, primarily dead wood, roots, paper, and cardboard. They use symbiotic protozoa in their gut to digest lignin and cellulose.

Behavior Patterns

Alates are the reproductive members of the colony. They swarm in large numbers, typically during the spring after a rain, to mate and establish new colonies. Once they land, they shed their wings (as seen in the image).

Risks & Benefits

They pose a significant risk to wooden structures, causing billions in property damage annually. In the ecosystem, they are beneficial decomposers that break down dead wood and return nutrients to the soil.

Identified on: 4/10/2026