Ant identification and termite identification are similar with a few small differences outlined below.
Ants are close relatives of bees and wasps. They are common insects that are effortlessly identified, especially in their common wingless adult forms, identified as workers. However, winged forms of ant, abandon the nest in large numbers in warm conditions to mate and create new colonies. In many cases, they are mistaken for winged termites, who also leave the nest to mate.
Ants and termites can be distinguished by the following three primary characteristics:
Ants go through complete metamorphosis, passing through the egg, larval, pupal, and adult phases. Larvae are immobile, worm like and never look like adults. Ants are social insects. Queens carry out the reproductive functions of the colony and are bigger than another ant; they lay eggs and at times take part in the feeding and grooming of larvae. Female workers that happen to be sterile will collect food, feed and look after the larvae. They build tunnels, and guard the colony; these workers make up the majority of the colony. Males do not engage in colony activities. Their only function is to mate with the queens. Male ants are fed and cared for by worker ants. Due to being few in number when compared to the females.
