Do Termites Look Like Ants?
WouterOne of the most common questions asked is, “Do termites really look like ants?” While there are many similarities between the two, there are also some differences. Among the most striking are the size and shape of the wings.
Depending on the species, the wings on a termite may be the same length as their body, or they may be slightly longer. This feature is useful for locating colonies.
Another feature that is often mistaken for a wing is the waist. The waist on an ant is narrower and more clearly segmented than the waist on a termite.
Among other features, flying ants have a smoky-looking front wing and a clear one on the back. Their other major feature is the antenna. Antennae are used to detect odors in the air.
Unlike termites, ants have no mandibles, a pair of eyes, or legs. However, ants do have a large head and a long body.
The winged ant is the most impressive ant, but it is not the most significant. A termite has a few other cool features that you might find interesting, but these are not as impressive.
The smallest termite is called a nymph, or larva. These tiny insects have a segmented head and a thorax. Their wings are also quite big. Compared to a worker termite, a nymph looks like a miniature version of the termite.
A winged termite is a little different from a nymph. These are about the same size as a worker, but the wings are larger. These swarmers are a little more impressive. Their wings are translucent and their bodies are about three eighths of an inch long.
