Termites vs. Ants -- 1/20/2001 -- From Dr. Ant. TERMITES: --Fore- and hindwings of alates similar. --First segments of abdomen as broad as those posterior to them. --Small termites with body form like adults' emerge from eggs, no pupal stage. --Eat cellulose-rich diet which is digested for them by symbiotic microorganisms in their digestive tract --Found mainly within 30 degrees latitude from the equator --Require high humidity, those of drier climates can only come to surface at night or during occasional warm, wet weather. --Ovipositor reduced in size and non-functional compared to related insects which use theirs for inserting eggs into substrate. --Termite colonies are composed of about equal number of diploid males and females, with similar functions. NOTE: In all but the first of these, termites are like their relatives, the cockroaches. They are also in many features of their anatomy and morphology. ANTS: --Fore- and hindwings differ in size and vein pattern. --First two or three segments of abdomen variously constricted and modified into waist-like form. --Worm-like larvae emerge from eggs, which grow to adult size, then go through non-feeding pupal stage before reaching adult (typical ant) form. --Larvae typicallly eat high protein diet, adults most often have sugary fluids as major dietary component. --Range much further from equator, to about 60 degrees north or south latitude. --Many adapted to dry climates and forage above ground even in driest deserts. --Ovipositor modified into a stinger with associated venom glands used for subduing prey and for defense. --Ant colonies are all females, except for the seasonal production of haploid (one set of chromosomes, instead of two) males with very distinct appearance and little or no role in the work of the colony. NOTE: In all of the above ways, ants are like the wasps to which they are related.