# Eastern Subterranean Termite (*Reticulitermes flavipes*) Eastern Subterranean Termites are tiny insects that live in colonies underground. They help break down wood and dead plants, which is great for the environment! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Underground in forests and urban areas ![Eastern Subterranean Termite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Reticulitermes_flavipes_K8085-6.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reticulitermes_flavipes_K8085-6.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Subterranean Termite is mostly creamy white to pale yellow with a soft body, though winged reproductives are dark brown or black. Workers have a broad waist and straight antennae, unlike ants which have pinched waists. Soldiers possess distinctive, larger brownish heads with strong mandibles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Blattodea - **Family:** Rhinotermitidae - **Genus:** Reticulitermes ## Interesting facts - A queen termite can lay thousands of eggs every single day for many years! Wow! - These ancient insects have existed on Earth for over 100 million years! Wow! - They create a super intricate network of tunnels inside wood, like tiny underground highways! Wow! - Worker termites are completely blind, but they navigate their tunnels perfectly using senses. Wow! ## Special abilities - **Wood-Digester:** Eastern Subterranean Termite can digest tough wood because of special microbes in its gut that break down cellulose for food. - **Mud Tube Builder:** Eastern Subterranean Termite has amazing mud tunnels that help them travel safely and stay moist while searching for food. - **Chemical Talker:** Eastern Subterranean Termite can leave invisible scent trails called pheromones that help their colony find food and follow each other. - **Soldier Defender:** Eastern Subterranean Termite has soldiers with large, strong jaws that help them bravely protect the colony from invaders. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 16-20 mm - **Size:** 3-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-730 days - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 5000000 ## Diet & Feeding They mostly eat dead plants, especially wood, by digesting tough plant fibers for energy. - **Primary Foods:** Dead wood, Cellulose (paper, cardboard), Decaying leaves, Plant debris - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Allegheny Mound Ant (*Formica exsectoides*) — Ants often raid termite colonies for food. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — Birds prey on swarming termites during their flights. - **Eaten by:** Black and Yellow Garden Spider (*Arigiope aurantia*) — Spiders often catch winged termites in their webs. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Termites are not harmful to people, but it's best to leave them alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Subterranean Termite? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Eastern Subterranean Termite's wingspan? 16-20 mm ### How big is Eastern Subterranean Termite? 3-10 mm ### How long does Eastern Subterranean Termite live? 365-730 days ### What does Eastern Subterranean Termite eat? They mostly eat dead plants, especially wood, by digesting tough plant fibers for energy. ### Where is Eastern Subterranean Termite usually found? Underground in forests and urban areas ### How does Eastern Subterranean Termite hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Eastern Subterranean Termite have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Callaway Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/callaway-gardens) — Georgia, US · Botanical Garden - [Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cecil-b-day-butterfly-center) — Georgia, US · Botanical Garden - [Southington Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southington-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Eastern Subterranean Termite](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-subterranean-termite) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eastern Subterranean Termite Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-subterranean-termite)