Difference Between Flying Ants and Termites

Flying Ants vs Termites

Both flying ants and termites are different in their body, shape, reproductive cycles, and their wings. It is easy to differentiate between flying ants and termites.

First of all, let us look at the shape of flying ants and termites. The body of the flying ant is divided into three segments; head, thorax, and abdomen. On the other hand, termites have two segments; head and thorax. Unlike the flying ants, termites seem to have a single body.

Now let us look at the body color of the two. Termites are usually black in color. On the other hand, flying ants are seen in various colors such as black, red, and brown.

Though both of the insects develop wings during the time of mating, there is a significant difference in their wings. The wings of the termite are visible under the front wings, and the front and the back wings are of the same length. The back wings of a flying ant, however, are hidden beneath the front wings. Moreover, the back wings of flying ants are shorter than the front wings.

Then there is a difference in the antennae. The flying ant has bent or curved antennae with a ball on top called a club. On the contrary, the antennae of a termite are not bent and have no bulb on the tip.

Flying ants undergo a complete metamorphosis whereas the termites undergo a gradual metamorphosis. The flying ants develop from an egg, then into a larva, into a pupa, and then into an adult. But termites develop from a larva, then into a nymph, then into an adult. In flying ants, the male dies after reproduction, and it is the female ant that builds a colony. But in the case of termites, both the male and the female build a colony.

Summary:

1.The body of the flying ant is divided into three segments; head, thorax, and abdomen. On the other hand, termites have two segments; head and thorax.
2.The termites are usually black in color. On the other hand, flying ants are seen in various colors such as black, red, and brown.
3.The wings of the termite are visible under the front wings. The back wings of a flying ant, however, are hidden beneath the front wings.
4.The flying ant has a bend or curved antennae with a ball on top called a club. On the contrary, the antennae of a termite are not bent and have no bulb on the tip.

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