# Termite (*Isoptera*) > Termites are small social insects of the infraorder Isoptera that live in large colonies and feed on wood, leaf litter, and other plant matter. Ranging from 4 to 15 mm long, they build organised societies of workers, soldiers, and reproductive kings and queens, with colonies numbering from thousands to several million. Worker termites live only months, while a queen can survive for many years. They are vital recyclers of dead plant material in tropical and warm regions. - **Category:** Insect - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern - **Range:** Soil and wood in tropical and warm-temperate regions worldwide; ecosystem engineers that recycle dead plant matter. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/termite/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Blattodea ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Infraorder Isoptera | | Diet | Herbivore/detritivore (wood, leaf litter, plant matter) | | Habitat | Soil and wood in tropical and warm-temperate regions | | Lifespan | Workers months; queens many years | | Length | 4–15 mm depending on species and caste | | Colony size | Thousands to several million | | Conservation status | Varies by species | ## Life in a caste society Termites are among the most social of all insects, organised into distinct castes that each do a specific job. Workers, which are blind and pale, gather food, tend the young, and build the nest, while soldiers with enlarged heads and jaws defend the colony against attackers such as ants. At the centre are the reproductives: a king and a long-lived queen who together produce all the colony's offspring. This division of labour lets a colony function almost like a single organism. ## Feeding on wood and recycling Termites eat cellulose from dead wood, leaf litter, and other plant matter, a diet few animals can digest. They manage it with the help of specialised microbes and protozoa in their guts that break the tough fibres down into usable nutrients. By consuming fallen timber and dead vegetation, termites return nutrients to the soil and are among the most important decomposers in tropical and warm-temperate ecosystems. This same appetite for wood is what makes some species serious pests of timber buildings. ## Mounds and nests Many termites are extraordinary builders, raising mounds of soil, saliva, and droppings that can tower several metres above ground. These structures are engineered with networks of tunnels and vents that circulate air and keep the nest at a steady temperature and humidity. Some species cultivate gardens of fungus inside the mound as an extra food source. The largest termite mounds are among the biggest structures built by any animal relative to its size. ## The queen and colony growth A termite colony is founded by a single mated pair, and the queen can live for many years, far longer than her tiny workers, who survive only months. As she matures her abdomen swells enormously and she may lay thousands of eggs a day, allowing a colony to grow to several million members over time. The king remains with her throughout her life, unlike in many other social insects. Colonies expand slowly at first, then rapidly once the workforce is large enough to support the queen. ## Swarming and new colonies Termites spread by producing winged reproductives, called alates, which leave the nest in large synchronised swarms, usually after rain. After a brief flight they shed their wings, pair up, and search for a place to start a colony of their own. Only a tiny fraction survive predators and drought to succeed, but those that do become the kings and queens of new nests. These swarming flights are the moment most people notice termites, which otherwise stay hidden inside wood and soil. ## Frequently asked questions ### What do termites eat? Termites eat cellulose from wood, leaf litter, and other dead plant matter. Because cellulose is hard to digest, they rely on microbes and protozoa in their guts to break it down, which lets them recycle material almost no other animal can use. ### How long do termites live? It depends on the caste. Worker termites usually live only a few months, while soldiers live somewhat longer. A queen, however, can survive for many years and is one of the longest-lived of all insects. ### How big can a termite colony get? Termite colonies range from a few thousand individuals to several million, depending on the species and the colony's age. A single long-lived queen laying thousands of eggs a day can build an enormous population over many years. ### Are termites harmful? Most termite species are harmless and play a valuable role recycling dead wood and plant matter. A minority, however, feed on the timber in buildings and can cause serious structural damage, which is why they are treated as pests in some regions. ### What is the difference between termites and ants? Although both are social insects, termites belong to the infraorder Isoptera and are more closely related to cockroaches, while ants are related to bees and wasps. Termites have straight antennae and a broad waist, whereas ants have elbowed antennae and a narrow, pinched waist. ### Why do termites build mounds? Termite mounds house and protect the colony, and their network of tunnels and vents keeps the nest cool, humid, and well ventilated. Some species also grow fungus gardens inside the mound as an additional food source. ## Sources - [IUCN Red List — Isoptera.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Isoptera&searchType=species) - [Wikipedia — Termite.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termite) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/termite/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.