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Termites, Isoptera, Termitidae,
White Ants
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Insects of the order Isoptera are commonly known as termites, or erroneously as white "ants", as termites are not related to ants. Termites live together in communities with different castes, so in that way, they are ant-like. Both ants and termites are social, and their communities contain both winged and wingless individuals.
Termites have four wings that are very long, and at rest, are laid flat along their backs. They extend far beyond the tip of the abdomen. Termite wings are membranous and most of the veins run longitudinally. Their front and hind wings are very similar in shape and size. Near the base of each wing is a line of weakness where it breaks off after termites take their so-called nuptial flight. Wingless individuals in each colony are, with most species, very numerous.
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soldier termite, Isoptera
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As a rule, termites are divided into two castes, ordinary workers and soldiers. True ants also have soldiers, but they are not such a well-differentiated caste as with the termites. Termite soldiers' jaws are enormous, and in some cases the soldier is five times the size of a worker. In some species of termite, a certain portion of workers, have elongated heads, which form a long "nose". The end of this nose has a hole that releases fluid used in the making of termite mound structures. This caste is known as the nasute, or nosed ones.
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Termites undergo practically no transformation, or metamorphoses, into adulthood. When young termites hatch from their eggs, they are immediately active. They look like adult termites, only smaller. On the other hand, ant larvae are footless grubs, which don't even closely resemble the adults.
The order Isoptera reaches its greatest numbers in tropical regions. The queen termites of some African species grow to enormous size, sometimes becoming as large as a potato!
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worker termite, Isoptera
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In the United States there are comparatively few native species. One is Termes flavipes Koll, which was accidentally introduced to Europe. Termes lucifugus Rossi is also widely distributed in the United States and Europe. It occurs in all of the Mediterranean countries and can be found in California, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, and elsewhere. Another species found in Texas, Termes tubiformans Buckley, makes its home within and underneath cow manure, creating tubes around grass stems.
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soldier termite, Isoptera
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Reticulitermes flavipes, or the Eastern Subterranean Termite, makes nests that are commonly found under decaying logs. This insect is a serious pest, particularly in old, damp houses. They like to make nests in wood beams, like main floor joists, and construct numerous tunnels that usually run with the grain. Wood beams eaten by these termites typically retain their main longitudinal fibers, which continue to support the building structure for a good period of time. One may see winged termites leaving the building for many years before any structural damage becomes apparent.
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worker termite emerging from nest
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The life of a termite colony goes through stages. Winged individuals of both sexes take their nuptial flight in spring. This attracts birds and other insect-eating creatures, where most of the termites are eaten. Survivors' wings soon break off, and they begin new colonies. These termites either pair and attempt to start a new colony, or they're found by workers from another colony and join forces with them, both methods forming a new community. Soon the queen's body begins to swell with eggs, grows enormously, and she begins to lay eggs. Unlike true ants, young termites require very little care from the workers. They are quite active and able to feed themselves early on. Termite food is variable, consisting of wood fiber, leaves, paper, their own cast skins, their own excrement, or stomach contents regurgitated by other individuals, however, the root source of their nutrition is cellulose. They construct their homes in a variety of places and ways. In Africa they build "ant hills", which are giant mounds extending out of the ground. In North America, they make their homes in logs, trees, underground, and in the wood of our houses.
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From an urban human standpoint, termites are destructive little creatures. However, from an ecologic standpoint, they serve a variety of important purposes in the environment. Termites consume and recycle dead plant material, and they serve as a food source for a number of animals. They also create shelter and habitat for other animals, especially with their large "ant hills". Despite their bad rap, termites do serve a good purpose in the grand scheme of things.
Andrew Williams / CritterZone.com
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worker termites with feces
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