Fact sheets

What are the differences between ants and termites?

Ants and termites are sometimes mistaken for each other, however they are very different insect groups. Several key features help to identify them correctly.

Difference between ants and termites

Antennae

Ants: Elbowed.
Termites: Simple string of bead-like segments.

Eyes

Ants: Compound eyes present.
Termites: No eyes.

Waist (called a pedicel, found between thorax and abdomen)

Ants: Present.
Termites: Absent.

Abdomen

Ants: Pointed at end.
Termites: Blunt at end.

Castes

Both ants and termites can be divided up into several ‘castes’, which depend upon their roles in the colony.

Workers
Ants: Sexually undeveloped females.
Termites: Sexually undeveloped males and females.
Soldiers
Ants: Are workers and may have dual role.
Termites: Sexually undeveloped males and females. There are two possible body forms: mandibulate (jawed) and nasute (long-nosed), depending on species.
Reproductives (winged)
Both ants and termites can have a winged stage in their reproductive cycle.
Ants: Fore/hind wings unequal, strongly veined
Termites: Fore/hind wings equal, no obvious veins

Life cycle

Ants: Complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, adult
Termites: Incomplete metamorphosis: egg, nymph, adult (no pupal stage)

Diet

Ants: ants are scavengers, with different species foraging for different foods. Some ants live within damp/decaying wood, but do not actually eat the wood.
Termites: termites are plant tissue specialists, feeding on wood and grasses, and some species can cause extensive damage to buildings and trees through their feeding and nesting habits.

Scientific classification

Ants: Order Hymenoptera, Family Formicidae
Termites: Order Isoptera, Several families