Termite Facts for Kids

23 Termite Facts For Kids

1. Termite is the common name for a large group of eusocial insects that make up the Isoptera infraorder.
2. Termites and their common ancestors first appeared at least 120 million years ago.
3. There are more than 3,100 living species of termites, with a few hundred more yet to be scientifically described.
4. Termite species are found all around the world, except in Antarctica.
5. Most termite species prefer tropical habitats, but many species are spread throughout the world.
6. Termites are herbivores and eat organic plant materials.
7. Termites can be brown, light yellow, red, or tan, varying by species.
8. The diet of a termite is cellulose, which it obtains from plant matter, like wood.
9. The smallest living termite species is the Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus) with a length of only 1 inch.
10. The largest living termite species is the Macrotermes bellicosus which can reach a length of 4.2 inches.
11. Termites are social insects that live in a colony with several different castes (types of termites).
12. A single termite colony can have millions of individuals living in it.
13. A termite colony has workers, soldiers, tertiary queens, a secondary queen, a primary queen, and a king.
14. Termite workers handle most of the work in a colony, they care for the young, forage for food, and maintain the nest.
15. Termite soldiers have one task and that is to defend the nest from invaders and threats.
16. Termite tertiary queens are bred by the primary queen to create satellite nests nearby the main nest.
17. Termite secondary queens are bred by the primary queen to help aid in the production of more individuals for the nest.
18. Termite queens are the ones who produce all the other individuals in the nest.
19. Termite kings are the ones who mate with the queen (for life) to ensure she can keep laying eggs.
20. Termites are classified as a pest and discovered infestations in human structures cost on average $3,000 to repair.
21. In the United States, termites cause tens of billions in damage each year to human structures and crops.
22. Solider and worker termites have a lifespan between one and two years.
23. Queen and king termites have a lifespan that can reach up to ten years.

Termite Pictures

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the below images will be helpful for your research on termites. Below are three pictures of various termite species. These pictures should help you better understand the different types of termites found around the world.

A picture of termites in a termite nest.

A picture of termites on a dead log.

A picture of wood damaged by termites.