Ants and termites are often mistaken for each other due to their similar social structures and colony-based lifestyles, but they belong to different insect orders and exhibit distinct biological and ecological traits.
- Ants are in the order Hymenoptera, while termites belong to Isoptera.
- Both have eusocial colonies with complex caste systems, including workers, soldiers, and reproductives.
- Termites consume wood and plant fiber, playing a key role in decomposition, whereas ants have more varied diets, including predators and scavengers.
- Termites have symbiotic protozoa and bacteria for digesting cellulose; ants rely on different mechanisms for food processing.
- Ants have a narrow “waist” (petiole) and elbowed antennae; termites have broad waists and straight antennae.
Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera.
Ants and termites differ in digestive symbionts, antennae shapes, and their insect orders.