
Community identification
Termite
Isoptera
- Order & Family
- Order: Blattodea, Family: Termitidae (various)
- Size
- 5 mm to 10 mm for winged alates
Natural Habitat
Subterranean nests, damp wood, or dry wood depending on species; often found near soil or in structures.
Diet & Feeding
Cellulose-based materials such as wood, leaf litter, and paper; some species cultivate fungi for food.
Behavior Patterns
Social insects exhibiting a caste system (king, queen, soldiers, workers); winged alates swarm during the humid season to mate and start new colonies.
Risks & Benefits
Major risk of significant structural damage to homes and wooden buildings; ecologically beneficial as decomposers that recycle dead wood and aerate soil.