Key Information
Termites
| Species | Over 3,100 species |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Length | 4 inches (queens) |
| Lifespan | 30 to 50 years (queens) |
| Classification | Insectra > Dictyoptera > Isoptera |
| Conservation Status | Some species endangered, others not threatened |
| Habitat | Every continent except Antarctica |
Learning Point
- The word “colony” is the term used to describe a group of termites. They can be anywhere from a few hundred in number, up to many millions.
- Some species of termites build their homes above ground in trees, but many make them in the ground. Some of these species built huge mounds, the most complex structures made by insects.
Project
- Draw a termite nest and the termite workers and soldiers.
- Overview
- X-Ray
Location
| Places | Every continent except Antarctica |
Fun Facts
- The species Macrotermes bellicosus is the largest termite known, with the queens measuring 4.2 inches in length.
- 3,106 termite species have been described and studied, with hundreds more still to be investigated.
- Some termites are able to change their physical form to take on a new role in the termite colony.
- Queen termites can live from 30 to 50 years, and are the longest living insect known to man.
- The tallest mound ever recorded was 42 feet high found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Past Lessons
| 3 | June 15, 2026 | (North America) |