How do I tell the difference between termites and ants?
Physical differences between the two groups are often subtle, but there are characters that easily distinguish the two groups. The main differences between ants and termites are ants have a constriction of the abdomen between the thorax and the rest of the abdomen while termites are broadly joined between the thorax and abdomen. In other words, ants have a narrow or pinched waist and termites do not. The front and hind wings of termites are approximately equal in size while the hind wings of ants are much smaller than their front wings. The antennae of ants are elbowed after the first two segments. Termite antennae are not elbowed but appear like a string of beads.
