Ruqayyah Snyder
Termites are one of the most destructive pest species in the world, causing billions of dollars of damage to crops and buildings every year. In Australia, they are a common pest that can be difficult to identify. They are often mistaken for ants, but they are actually more closely related to cockroaches. While there are about 300-360 species of termites in Australia, only a handful of these species cause economic damage. These include the giant northern termite, which is found in the Northern Territory, some northern parts of Western Australia, and Queensland. This species is significantly larger than other pest species, can exist in colonies of several million, and has a voracious appetite. Homes infested by the giant northern termite can be all but destroyed in as little as 6 months. To prevent costly damage, it is important for homeowners to be able to identify termite infestations and take appropriate action.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Termites are commonly mistaken for ants, but they have tube-shaped bodies, straight antennae, and are white or light brown in colour. |
| Types | There are more than 2,300 known termite species in the world, and about 300-360 of these species are found in Australia. The most problematic termite species in Australia include Cryptotermes spp., Coptotermes spp. (including Coptotermes lacteus, Coptotermes Acinaciformis, and Coptotermes Frenchi), Schedorhinotermes spp. (including Schedorhinotermes Intermedius), and Nasutitermes spp. (including Nasutitermes Walkeri and Nasutitermes exitiosus). |
| Habitat | Termites are found throughout Australia, but are particularly prevalent in urban areas like Melbourne and in the northern regions of the country. They live in colonies, sometimes creating huge termite mounds, and require a source of water in addition to their preferred food source of wood. |
| Behaviour | Termites are social insects, structuring their colonies into castes with distinct characteristics and roles. The queen lays eggs, workers care for the nymphs and forage for food, and soldiers protect the colony. Reproductive termites, also known as swarmers or alates, develop wings and fly out of the colony to start new colonies. After finding a mate, they lose their wings. |
| Impact | Termites are one of the most destructive pest species in the world, causing billions of dollars of damage to crops and buildings in Australia annually. They are difficult to spot and often stay in hiding, making it challenging to identify an infestation until significant damage has occurred. |
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What You'll Learn
Termites are often mistaken for ants
Firstly, termites and ants have different body shapes. Ants have segmented bodies with a noticeable pinched waist, while termites have more tube-shaped bodies without a waist. Additionally, termites have straight antennae, while ants have bent or "elbowed" antennae. In terms of colour, most species of termites are white or light brown, while ants are typically darker in colour, ranging from reddish to black.
Another distinguishing feature is their wings. Termite wings are larger than ant wings and are equal in size and shape, often being much longer than the termite's body. Termite wings also fall off easily, and loose wings can often be spotted near the opening of a termite nest. In contrast, ant wings are proportionate to their bodies, with the back wings being shorter than the front forewings. The wings of carpenter ants, a common type of ant, are shorter than those of termites and are not disproportionate to their bodies.
The two insects also differ in their diets and the damage they cause to wood. Termites feed on cellulose, which is found in plants, wood, and paper, and they can cause serious structural damage to homes by eating the wood. On the other hand, ants are omnivores and primarily eat nectar, seeds, other insects, and food debris. Carpenter ants, which are often mistaken for termites, do not eat wood but instead tunnel into sound wood after establishing their nests in softer, wet, or rotting wood. As a result, carpenter ants generally do not cause significant structural damage, and the damage they do cause is usually easier to detect as it takes longer to occur.
Finally, the life cycles of termites and ants differ. The termite life cycle includes egg, nymph (or larva), and adult stages, with some sources also including a moulting stage. Termite queens can live for up to 30 years, while worker and soldier termites live for around one to two years, and reproductive termites live for about three to four years. In contrast, ants have four life cycle stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Ant queens can live for up to 10 years, while worker ants typically survive for a few months.
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Flying termites are reproductive termites
Termites are one of the most destructive pest species in the world, and they are a common pest in Australia. They form complicated societies with different castes performing different roles within the colony. The queen lays the eggs, workers care for the nymphs and carry out the foraging, and soldiers protect the colony.
The reproductive termites, also known as alates, are the new kings and queens produced by mature colonies. They are winged termites that leave the colony to mate and form new colonies. These swarmers have two pairs of flat wings that rest over the abdomen when they are not in flight. They will leave the colony on warm, humid nights, taking to the wing in large numbers in termite swarms. Swarms are provoked by heavy rainfall and warm, humid temperatures among other triggers.
After these mating flights, the fertilized reproductive termites shed their wings and go on to establish new colonies. They drop to the ground, lose their wings, and begin searching for a place to build a nest to house their new colony. This behaviour is very distinctive, with the two mated termites forming a "train". The female leads while the male follows, and they each run very quickly across the ground, searching.
Reproductive termites develop each year and grow wings, eyes, and a dark colour. Australia's most damaging termite is of the genus Coptotermes. These alates fly all across Melbourne every October and early November. They are common in all Melbourne suburbs and even in urban and industrial areas. They usually fly in the early evening of a warm and humid day and are often mistaken for moths or flies. Other species of termites fly throughout the summer, right through the season to March.
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Flying termites are also known as swarmers
Termites are a common pest in Australia. They are one of the most destructive pest species in the world, and there are about 300 species in the country. In Australia, the most damaging termite species is Coptotermes, which is common in Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs.
Flying termites, or "swarmers", are the reproductive termites that leave their colonies to create new ones. They are also known as "alates", which means "winged-ones". They are the future kings and queens of next season's termite colonies. They are typically darker in colour, but this can vary depending on the species. They are usually larger than worker termites and have two pairs of wings that are equal in size and shape. When swarmers fly, they hold their wings straight out from their bodies, which distinguishes them from flying ants, which carry their wings at an angle.
Swarming is a strategy used by termites to disperse and form new, geographically separate colonies. It is also nature's way of reminding you that termites are always nearby. Swarming usually occurs during the daytime, often in spring, and frequently after rainfall. The swarms themselves are brief, lasting just minutes to an hour. However, depending on the species and weather, a colony might send out multiple swarms over a few weeks.
If you notice termite swarmers in your home, it could indicate an infestation. Swarmers are attracted to light sources and will gather around light fixtures and windowsills as they are looking for a way out to form another colony.
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Flying termites are a sign of infestation
Termites are a common pest in Australia and can be extremely destructive if left untreated. They are often difficult to spot and can cause significant damage before being noticed. Flying termites, or swarmers, are a warning sign of a potential termite infestation in your home.
Flying termites are reproductive termites that leave their colony to mate and form new nests. They are typically dark brown or black, with four equal-sized wings that are longer than their bodies. They are attracted to light and can enter homes through small openings, such as windows and doors.
If you see flying termites in your house, it indicates that a mature termite colony is nearby and the swarmers are trying to establish a new one. This is a serious sign of a potential infestation, and you should contact a pest control company for a professional inspection and treatment to prevent further damage.
There are several other signs of a termite infestation that you can look out for, including:
- Mud tubes outside your property, near foundations, inside or outside walls and ceilings, and around plumbing.
- Small, dark particles, known as frass (termite droppings), around wooden surfaces.
- Hollow-sounding wood—tap on wooden structures to check if termites have eaten through the wood, leaving only the outer shell.
- Swellings in wood—moisture from termites can cause floorboards or timber within building cavities to swell.
- Noises in the walls—termites make a clicking sound as they chew through wood and bang their bodies against the walls of their tunnels if disturbed.
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Flying termites are difficult to spot
Flying termites, sometimes mistaken for flying ants, are roughly three-eighths of an inch long, although they can be a little smaller. They have four wings of equal length that extend far past their bodies. They also possess short, straight antennae, and their thorax and abdomen are roughly the same width, giving them a thick-waisted appearance.
The main difference between ants and termites is body shape. An ant's body has noticeable segmentation with a pinched waist, while a termite's body is more tube-shaped. If you look closely, you will also see that termite antennae are straight, whereas an ant's antennae are bent. Most species of termites are white or light brown in colour, while ants are much darker.
Flying termites are usually reproductive termites, also known as alates or swarmers, that fly away from their colony to mate and form new colonies. They are often attracted to light and can be found near windowsills or doors. They are more likely to be spotted during the reproductive months, in late spring and early summer, and on warm and humid days.
If you suspect a termite infestation, it is important to have your home professionally inspected to understand the extent of the infestation and take informed steps for extermination or prevention.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some species of termites in Australia do have wings and can fly. These are the reproductive termites, also known as swarmers, alates, or primary reproductives. They fly out of the colony to start new colonies.
Flying termites have two pairs of flat wings that rest over their abdomen when they are not in flight. They are usually black, but can also be white or light brown. They are often mistaken for moths, flies, or ants.
Flying termites typically emerge during the reproductive months, in late spring and early summer. They fly on warm and humid nights, especially after rain.
