Introduction
Isoptera are small, soft-bodied, yellowish, whitish,
tan or black insects that live in colonies in wood. Colonies consist of three
castes: workers, soldiers and swarmers . Workers and soldiers are wingless and
never leave the colony. Swarmers , or the reproductive forms, have dark bodies
and four long, veined wings. The front and hind wings of termites are nearly
identical in size and venation. Termites also have beadlike antennae and thick
waists which distinguish them from ants.
Termites are usually the most dominant organisms in
tropical forest environments. Their populations typically range from 2000
to 4000 individuals per square meter but may occasionally run as high as 10,000
individuals per square meter.
