 |
|
Is it an ant or a
termite? |
People are often alarmed at the sight of winged
ants in or around their home, mistaking them for winged termites. Pictured below
is a side-by-side comparison of the two insects (each drawn here with half of
each pair of wings removed).
 |
| Ant |
| Slender waist
Angular antennae
First & second pair of wings
generally differ in size |
|
 |
| Termite |
| Waist is about the same thickness as
the rest of body
Unbent antennae
Both pairs of wings are generally
the same size |
|
| Illustrations
by Samuel K. Halsted |
The winged forms of termites and ants are called alates or swarmers.
|
