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| Termite Temporal range: Upper Triassic – Recent | |
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| Formosan subterranean termite soldiers (red colored heads) and workers (pale colored heads). | |
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| Suborder: | Isoptera |
Termites are a suborder of social insects, the Isoptera. They are sometimes called "white ants", incorrectly, because ants belong to the Order Hymenoptera.
They are eusocial animals, as are ants and some bees and wasps. Termites mostly feed on detritus, mostly wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung. There are an estimated 4,000 species (about 2,600 taxonomically known). About 10% are pests which can cause serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests.
Termites are major detrivores in the subtropical and tropical regions. Their recycling of wood and other plant matter is very important for ecology.
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