Leslie Massey
Termites are one of the most destructive pest species in the world, and there are over 300 species of termites in Australia. They can cause serious damage to homes and are often mistaken for ants. However, there are some key differences in their appearance. Termites have a thick waist, straight antennae, and a soft, tube-shaped body, and are usually creamy white or pale yellow in colour. They also produce moisture as they eat through wood, which can cause the wood to warp and change the shape of door and window frames. Some common types of termites found in Australia include Coptotermes acinaciformis, Coptotermes frenchi, and Nasutitermes walkeri.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body shape | Tube-shaped, thick waist |
| Antennae | Straight |
| Wings | Two pairs of equal-sized wings |
| Colour | Pale, creamy white, light brown, gold/brown, black |
| Size | 4mm to 15mm long |
| Eyes | Very small or no eyes |
| Jaws | Large, used for defence |
| Habitat | Soil, trees, wooden structures, walls |
| Behaviour | Constantly consume wood, produce moisture, create tunnels |
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What You'll Learn
Body shape: Tube-shaped, with a thick waist and no defined body segments
Australian termites are often mistaken for ants, but they have several distinct features. One of the most noticeable differences is their body shape. Termites have a tube-shaped body with a thick waist and no defined body segments, whereas ants have a pinched waist and noticeable body segmentation.
The body shape of Australian termites can be described as long and column-like, or constricted at the neck with a swollen abdomen. They have a soft outer shell that will disintegrate in dry conditions. The workers, who constantly gather food for the colony, have soft bodies and hard mouthparts that enable them to consume wood. Soldier termites, on the other hand, have large jaws for defence but find it difficult to feed on wood, so worker termites feed them liquid food.
The soldiers of some termite species have a pronotum that is about as wide as their head, with a large, almost circular cavity in front. Their heads are shaped like plugs, allowing them to block the entrance and exit holes of the nest. Soldier termites also have modified heads for defence and can have large brown heads.
The body shape of termites can vary slightly between species, and it can be challenging even for pest specialists to identify the specific type of termite. However, the general tube-shaped body structure with a thick waist remains consistent across Australian termite species.
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Antennae: Straight, unlike the bent antennae of ants
One of the most noticeable differences between Australian termites and ants is their antennae. Termites have straight antennae, while ants have bent or elbowed antennae. In fact, the antennae of ants are thread-like with a distinct elbow.
The shape of the body is another distinguishing feature. Ants have segmented bodies with a noticeable, pinched waist. Termites, on the other hand, have a tube-shaped body with a straight, thick waist and lack the defined body segments of ants.
The colour of the two insects also varies, with termites typically being creamy white, pale yellow, or light brown, while ants are darker. Most species of termites are white or light-coloured, although some, like the black termite, are darker. Ants, on the other hand, are usually coloured much darker than termites.
The size of termites ranges from 3 to 15 mm, with workers and soldiers having very small eyes or no eyes at all. Soldier termites are distinguished by their large jaws used to defend the colony.
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Wings: Two pairs of equal-sized wings
Termites are often confused with ants, but there are some clear physical differences. Ants have a distinctive waist with knobs, a hard body, and antennae with a distinct elbow. In contrast, termites have a straight antenna with a very slight bend at the end, a straight, bead-like body, and a uniform waist. Another key difference is in their wings. Ants have wings of different lengths, with the top wings usually being double the size of the bottom wings. On the other hand, termites have two pairs of wings that are equal in size and width. These wings are membranous and clear, with simple venation lacking cross-veins. At rest, the wings lie flat over the termite's body, overlapping so that the hindwing is hidden.
The presence of wings on a termite indicates that it is a reproductive termite, also known as alates or swarmers. These termites are responsible for mating and establishing new colonies. They are typically light gold in colour, but can also be dark grey, black, or dark brown. They get their dark colour from the mud they ingest as they tunnel through the ground. After their initial flight, they shed their wings and begin to establish a new colony. If you find piles of discarded wings near windowsills, door frames, or light fixtures, it is a clear sign that termites have entered your property.
The appearance of winged termites is a sign of a mature termite colony nearby. These termites can cause significant damage to homes, as they eat through timber and other materials. They are attracted to light sources and often swarm around them in large numbers. If you notice termite flying activity around your property, it is crucial to act quickly and contact a professional pest control service.
Winged termites are often mistaken for lacewings, which have many veins and numerous cells in their wings. Lacewings also hold their wings in a tent-like position over their body when at rest, which is different from termites. Correct identification of the pest is important to ensure effective treatment and prevention measures.
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Colour: Pale, creamy white, light brown, or yellow
Australian termites are typically small insects, ranging from 3 to 15 millimetres in length. They are often characterised by their pale, creamy white, light brown, or yellow colouration, with some species exhibiting darker shades, such as the black termite. Worker termites, responsible for gathering food and constructing nests, are usually white or cream-coloured with soft bodies. They possess hard mouthparts, enabling them to consume wood. Soldier termites, on the other hand, have darker heads with prominent jaws used for defence. These soldiers are easily identified by their large jaws, which they use to protect the colony.
The colour of termites can vary across different species, but most tend towards lighter shades. The Coptotermes frenchi, also known as the milk termite, is a native Australian species with a milky-white colour and a pear-shaped head. Another species, the giant northern termite, is found in northern Australia and exhibits a cream colouration with large brown heads.
It is worth noting that termites have a soft outer shell that requires a humid environment to survive. As a result, they are attracted to moist places and build their nests in soil, trees, or wooden structures. Their bodies are tube-shaped, lacking the distinct waist and segmented body of ants. Termites have straight antennae, in contrast to the bent or elbowed antennae of ants.
While most termites have a pale or creamy appearance, some species may exhibit darker colours. For example, swarming termites during mating seasons can appear darker, especially when they have wings. Additionally, some termite species are known as "black termites," indicating a darker colouration.
The pale, creamy white, light brown, or yellow colour of Australian termites is an important feature for identification. However, it is important to note that their colour is not the only distinguishing characteristic. Size, body shape, antennae shape, and other behavioural traits also play a crucial role in accurately identifying termite species.
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$39.95
Size: 3-7mm long, with a cigar-shaped body
Australian termites are small insects that typically range from 3 to 7 millimetres in length. This measurement refers to the termite's body excluding the wings or other protruding features. Their bodies are cigar-shaped, resembling small cylindrical tubes with a slight taper towards the abdomen. This shape is a result of their narrow, elongated abdomen and the overlapping wing veins when at rest.
The queen termite, responsible for egg-laying and colony growth, is often larger than the other termites, reaching up to 7 millimetres or slightly more in length. She retains the cigar-like body shape but appears more robust due to her increased size.
The worker termites, which make up the majority of the colony, tend to be on the smaller end of the size spectrum, typically measuring around 3 to 5 millimetres in length. Their slender cigar-shaped bodies allow them to navigate through tight spaces, such as mud tunnels or narrow crevices in wood, where they forage for food and build their intricate nests.
The soldiers, which defend the colony, may be slightly larger than the workers, reaching up to 6 millimetres in length. They possess modified mouthparts, such as large mandibles or snout-like noses, for defence, but these do not significantly alter their overall cigar-shaped body contour.
The termite's size and shape can vary slightly between different species of Australian termites. Some species may exhibit slightly longer or shorter bodies, while others might have proportionally wider abdomens, giving them a slightly different appearance. However, the 3-to-7-millimetre length and cigar-shaped body are consistent traits across most termite species in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian termites are usually creamy white or pale yellow in colour. They have soft bodies, straight antennae, and a uniform waist. They are small insects, typically 4mm to 15mm long.
Australian termites are often mistaken for ants, but there are some key differences. Termites have a straight waist, while ants have a pinched waist with knobs. Termite antennae are straight, while ant antennae are bent or elbowed. Termites have equal-sized wings, whereas ants have two larger wings at the front and two smaller wings at the back.
There are over 300 species of termites in Australia. Some common species include:
- Coptotermes acinaciformis: A subterranean termite species native to Australia. They build communal nests underground or in the root crown of a tree.
- Coptotermes Frenchi: A smaller species in the Rhinotermitidae family, also native to Australia. They build communal nests that look like mounds.
- Nasutitermes Walkeri: Found in woodland and bushland areas along the coastal and mountain regions of NSW and QLD.
- Schedorhinotermes Intermedius: A destructive species of termite with two types of soldiers, Major and Minor.
Termites can cause extensive damage to wooden structures in your home. Some signs of a termite infestation include:
- Mud tubes on external walls or wooden structures.
- Sawdust-like material or wood damage on furniture, skirting boards, or structural timber.
- Hollow-sounding walls or timber.
- Cracks in wood or paint.
- Ill-fitting doors and windows due to warped wood.
- Discarded wings of flying termites near light sources in the evening.
