Isoptera

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Vernacular names
• Deutsch: Termiten
• English: termites
white ants
• Español: comejenes
• Français: fourmis blanches
termite mounds in Australia (click on image to enlarge it)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Isoptera (termites)

The termites are social and polymorphic species living in large communities, usually underground, or in wood. They are common in tropical and subtropical regions. Various species are important pests, destroying wooden structures or crops.

The colonies contain reproductive forms together with numerous wingless and sterile workers and soldiers. Fore- and hindwings are membranous and similar in size, shape and venation. They are folded flat over the back and can be shed by a special mechanism. The tarsi are almost always 4-segmented.

The termites are closely related to the cockroaches and some taxonomists place both groups under the order of Blattodea. In such cases the Isoptera are considered an infraorder.

For details see the respective page in Wikipedia.


The following families of Isoptera are included in the system: