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white ant,

common name for a soft-bodied social insect of the infraorder Isoptera. Originally classified in as a separate order, termites are genetically related to cockroachescockroach
or roach,
name applied to some 4,600 species of flat-bodied, oval insects in the order Blattodea. Cockroaches have long antennae, long legs adapted to running, and a flat extension of the upper body wall that conceals the head. They range from 1-4 in. to 3 in.
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Termite Colonies and Castes





Damage by Termites

The termites that cause the greatest damage for dwellings typically belong to the family Rhinotermitidae, the soil dwellers, or subterranean, termites. The Formosan termite, a more aggressive species than the U.S. species, was discovered in the United States in 1965 along the Gulf and in Atlantic port cities. Soil dwellers attack only wood that is in contact with the ground or close enough to be reached through enclosed earthen runways, which are connected to the termite's underground galleries. Treatment of soil, use of treated wood, or shielding with metal and concrete are among the methods used to prevent entry of termites into buildings. Drywood termites, of the family Kalotermitedae, do not require as high a humidity as do soil dwellers and will attack trees, fence posts, stumps, and wooden buildings. Although they can cause significant damage, they tend to establish smaller colonies.


Termites are classified in the phylum ArthropodaArthropoda
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, class Insecta, order Blattodea, infraorder Isoptera.


For information on prevention and control of termites, see publications of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture or State Extension Service.


A wood-devouring insect that eats the woodwork of a structure, which can ruin a building; resembling ants in appearance and in their habit of living in colonies.


(invertebrate zoology)
A soft-bodied insect of the order Isoptera; individuals feed on cellulose and live in colonies with a caste system comprising three types of functional individuals: sterile workers and soldiers, and the reproductives. Also known as white ant.


any whitish ant-like social insect of the order Isoptera, of warm and tropical regions. Some species feed on wood, causing damage to furniture, buildings, trees, etc.
References in periodicals archive ?
The book summarizes the results of a training programme for young Namibians, on the energy sector offered in 2013 by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in partnership with Earthlife Namibia, the Goethe Centre, NaDs and LaRRI.
Earthlife Namibia claims that from the time the factory opened, Ramatex failed to comply with international environmental and social standards.
In a response to Earthlife Namibia regarding the findings of the Oko Institut, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry stated: "Practically speaking we all need to understand that development and environment are two sides of the same coin, they are interlinked.
EarthLife Africa's Zero Waste Team was granted authority by the WSSD to manage the zero waste program for the civil society meetings of the WSSD, called the Global Forum.
The public is not properly informed about the dangers of nuclear energy, therefore a proper information campaign should be conducted across the country and thereafter a national referendum should be held on the issue, says Berthen Kohrs, chairperson of Earthlife Namibia.
As chairperson of Earthlife Namibia, she has challenged government and industry on controversial projects including the Epupa Hydro-Electric Scheme on the Kunene River, the Ramatex clothing factory in Katutura, and the current development of a new uranium mine in the Namib-Naukluft Park.
Their challenge was endorsed by two dozen prominent individuals, as well as environmental groups, trade unions and other civic groups including the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, several branches of Earthlife Africa and the Environmental Justice Networking Forum, the International Labor Rights Information Group and Workers Organization for Socialist Action.
Organisations such as Earthlife Namibia has been lobbying against the development of nuclear energy in Namibia.
Earthlife Namibia has urged government to abandon all nuclear power plans for the country in the wake of an imminent nuclear disaster in Japan.
As voorsitter van Earthlife Namibia het sy reeds die Regering en die industrie kaalvuis aangevat oor kontroversiele projekte soos die beplande Epupa hidro-elektriese skema in die Kunenerivier, die Ramatex klerefabriek in Katutura en die ontwikkeling van die nuwe uraniummyn in die Namib-Naukluft Park.