These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

Imported Fire Ants Home

Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts

Print Share/Bookmark

How can I tell the difference between flying ants and termites?

Last Updated: February 10, 2012

View as web page


Although most ants are recognizable, the winged forms (alates) of some species of ants and termites are often confused, especially during the termite swarming season.



Ant alate
  • Thin waist (a narrow area between the thorax and first abdominal segment). 
  • Front pair of wings are larger than the hind pair. 
  • Wing have few veins and usually clear.

Termite alate
  • Termite thorax and abdomen are broadly connected. 
  • Four wings are approximately the same size and shape. 
  • Wings have many veins and may be milky-colored.
Anatomical differences between ant alate (top) and termite alate (bottom).  Drawings courtesy of University of Florida Extension. 

Related

 

Find more information about fire ants in eXtension's Imported Fire Ant Resource Area. 

Browse related Faqs by tag: fire ants, urban, identification, pestmanagement, house, imported fire ants, solenopsis, fireants, termite identification, termiteidentification


Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.