Flying ants and swarming termites are often difficult to tell apart. As a result, termites are commonly mistaken for ants and are often referred to as "white ants."

Ant

Termite

Ant Antenna

Termite Antenna

Ants have distinctly "elbowed" or bent antennae.

Termites have relatively straight, beadlike antennae.

Ant Body Shape and Color

Termite Body Shape and Color

Have 3 distinct body regions: head, thorax and abdomen.

Have a constricted or "pinched" waist between thorax and abdomen.

Are hard-bodied and darker in color.

Appear to have a head and a body.
Have broadly joined thorax and abdomen.

Are soft-bodied and usually light in color.

The bodies of primary reproductives (swarmers) vary by species from coal black to pale yellow brown.

Ant Wings

Termite Wings

2 pair of wings

Have longer front wings that are held at an angle above the body at rest.

Have few veins.

2 pair of wings

Have front and hind wings of equal size and shape that rest flat over the body.

Swarmer wings may be pale or smokey gray to brown.

Have many veins.