Animal Guide
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Ants and termites are sometimes mistaken for each other, but they are very different groups of insects. Several key features help identify them correctly
Table of Contents
Ants and termites are sometimes mistaken for each other, but they are very different groups of insects.
Several key features help identify them correctly
antenna
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Ant: Elbow.
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Termites: Simple beaded segments.
Eye
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Ants: Have compound eyes.
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Termites: No eyes.
waist (called the pedicle, located between the chest and abdomen)
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Ant: Now.
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Termites: None.
abdomen
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Ant: Point to the end.
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Termites: blunt ends.
Caste
Both ants and termites can be divided into several "castes," depending on their role in the colony.
Worker
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Ant: Sexually immature female.
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Termites: Sexually immature males and females.
Soldier
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Ant: is a worker and may have a dual role.
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Termites: Sexually immature males and females. Depending on the species, there are two possible body forms: mandibular (lower jaw-like) and rhinoid (long nose).
Reproductive body (winged)
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Both ants and termites can have a winged stage in their reproductive cycle.
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Ants: front/back wings are unequal in length and have strong veins
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Termites: front and rear wings are equal, no obvious veins
life cycle
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Ant: complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, adult
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Termites: incomplete metamorphosis: eggs, nymphs, adults (no pupal stage)
diet
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Ants: Ants are scavengers, and different species of ants look for different foods. Some ants live in damp/rotted wood but don't actually eat the wood.
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Termites: Termites are plant tissue specialists that feed on wood and grass, and some species can cause extensive damage to buildings and trees through their feeding and nesting habits.
Scientific classification
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Ants: Hymenoptera, Formicidae
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Termites: order Isoptera, several families
