Soldier Tenuirostritermes are smaller than the workers of their species. Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Termites

These ubiquitous wood-feeding insects are social descendants of cockroaches. Colonies are composed of reproductive males and females, sterile soldiers, and immature stages that perform as workers. Below are images of termites from around the world.

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The largest termites in North America are Zootermopsis dampwood termites, found in the west. The impressive jaws of this soldier are used to fight against competing colonies of the same species.

Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Nasute termite soldiers (Termitidae) rush forward to guard a breach in their nest. These insects can squirt a noxious, sticky substance out of their snouts.

Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia

Glyptotermes Drywood Termite (Kalotermitidae)

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Amitermes laurensis, magnetic termite mound. The north-south orientation of these blade-like structures is thought to help the termites regulate the temperature of their nest.

Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia

Prorhinotermes inopinatus (Rhinotermitidae), worker and soldier termites in a rotting log.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Unlike soldier ants that are usually larger than workers, soldier nasute termites are often smaller.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Freshly white after a molt, this worker Tenuirostritermes termite will darken over time.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA

Soldier Tenuirostritermes are smaller than the workers of their species.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA

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Keywords: termite arizona insect insects termites caste entomology dimorphism social insects isoptera tenuirostritermes termitidae worker termites soldier termites

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Termites

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