Common
name for numerous species of social insects that can damage wooden structures
such as furniture or houses. Of about 2000 known species, most are distributed
in tropical countries and some inhabit the temperate regions of North and South
America; two have become established in southern Europe. Termites are known also
as white ants, a misnomer based on superficial similarities in the appearance
and habits of these two insect groups. True ants belong to a more advanced
insect order that includes also the bees and the wasps. Termites are relatively
primitive; they have thick waists and soft bodies and undergo incomplete
metamorphosis (see Insect:
Metamorphosis). Nevertheless, they have developed remarkable patterns
of social behavior that are almost as elaborate as those of the ants, social
bees, and wasps.
