Ants or Termites
Guide 400 G-301
In early summer, a combination of warm days
and moisture from rains stimulates ants and some
termites to swarm. When large numbers of small,
flying ant-like insects are seen, the observer
wonders are they flying ants or termites?
There are four features that can easily be seen
with the naked eye or slight magnification that can be
used to tell the difference between a Hying ant and a
termite.
First, the antennae or feelers are different. Ants
have elbowed antennae; the first segment, attached to
the head, is long and slender; the rest of the antenna
is attached at an angle and is made up of many very
small segments. Termite antennae are like strings of
beads.
Second, flying ants have two pairs of wings that
are not equal in length. Termite wings are of equal
length.
Next, ants have eyes. Termites have no eyes.
Last, all ants have a "wasp waist." There are one
or two very small segments between the thorax and
the abdomen. Termites have a thick waist.
Ants and termites will swarm any time during
the warm part of the year. Most ants swarm when
stimulated by spring or summer rains. Not all kinds of
termites need rain for stimulating their swarms, and
many species do their swarming in the late summer
and fall.
If the insects you find are termites, they may or
may not be coming from your house. There are many
B'o-u.r "Wajrs to Tell Termites from Ants
Winged Adult
m
Wingless Worker \U
COMPARE THESE FEATURES:
1. Antennae
not elbowed
2. Two pair wings
of equal length
3- Eyes absent
4. Waist thick
1. Antennae
elbowed
2. Two pair wings
of unequal length
3- Eyes present
4. Waist thin
ANT
M^
Winged Adult
Wingless Worker
New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race,
color, or national origin. New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station Publications
Digital Identifier
UAAPg0G301B0001
Is Part Of
Ants or termites?
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Text
Format
image/tiff
Language
eng
OCR
Ants or Termites
Guide 400 G-301
In early summer, a combination of warm days
and moisture from rains stimulates ants and some
termites to swarm. When large numbers of small,
flying ant-like insects are seen, the observer
wonders are they flying ants or termites?
There are four features that can easily be seen
with the naked eye or slight magnification that can be
used to tell the difference between a Hying ant and a
termite.
First, the antennae or feelers are different. Ants
have elbowed antennae; the first segment, attached to
the head, is long and slender; the rest of the antenna
is attached at an angle and is made up of many very
small segments. Termite antennae are like strings of
beads.
Second, flying ants have two pairs of wings that
are not equal in length. Termite wings are of equal
length.
Next, ants have eyes. Termites have no eyes.
Last, all ants have a "wasp waist." There are one
or two very small segments between the thorax and
the abdomen. Termites have a thick waist.
Ants and termites will swarm any time during
the warm part of the year. Most ants swarm when
stimulated by spring or summer rains. Not all kinds of
termites need rain for stimulating their swarms, and
many species do their swarming in the late summer
and fall.
If the insects you find are termites, they may or
may not be coming from your house. There are many
B'o-u.r "Wajrs to Tell Termites from Ants
Winged Adult
m
Wingless Worker \U
COMPARE THESE FEATURES:
1. Antennae
not elbowed
2. Two pair wings
of equal length
3- Eyes absent
4. Waist thick
1. Antennae
elbowed
2. Two pair wings
of unequal length
3- Eyes present
4. Waist thin
ANT
M^
Winged Adult
Wingless Worker
New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race,
color, or national origin. New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
