Termites do have wings, but only the reproductive members, called alates or swarmers, develop them. This feature is present only during a distinct phase of their life cycle. The vast majority of termites—workers and soldiers—are entirely wingless and remain hidden underground or inside wood. Alates develop wings solely to leave the parent colony and establish a new one. This brief winged stage is the only time most people ever see a termite.
The Role of Winged Termites
The appearance of winged termites, known as alates, is a purposeful act of dispersal and reproduction. These specialized members are sexually mature males and females that develop wings to participate in a swarming event. The flight’s purpose is to mate and establish the next generation of colonies.
When conditions are right, often following rain in warmer months, thousands of alates emerge from their mature colony. This synchronous flight, or swarming, is a race to find a partner and a suitable location for a new home. Since termites are weak fliers, the swarm typically does not travel far from the original colony. Only a small fraction of these swarmers survive to successfully pair up and start a new colony.
Distinguishing Winged Termites from Ants
The presence of swarming winged insects is often alarming, but it is important to distinguish between a winged termite and a winged ant, as they are frequently confused. These two insects have three distinct differences in their body structure: waist, wings, and antennae.
Winged termites have a broad, thick waist, giving their body a uniform, tube-like appearance with no distinct separation between the thorax and abdomen. In contrast, winged ants possess a very narrow, pinched waist, which creates noticeable segmentation. This pinched waist is the most straightforward visual difference.
Termites have two pairs of wings that are nearly equal in size and length. These four wings are often twice as long as the termite’s body. Winged ants, however, have two pairs of wings where the front pair is noticeably larger and longer than the back pair.
The antennae offer a third point of distinction: winged termites have straight, bead-like antennae. Winged ants, in comparison, have antennae that are distinctly “elbowed” or bent at a sharp angle. Correct identification is important because termites cause structural damage by eating wood, while winged ants primarily hollow it out for nesting.
What Happens to the Wings After Swarming
The wings of the alates are temporary structures that serve their purpose only during the swarming flight. Once a male and female pair successfully lands and finds a potential location to establish their new colony, they deliberately shed their wings in a process called dealation. The wings are designed to break off easily at specific suture lines, allowing the newly paired king and queen to crawl into a protected space.
This shedding of wings marks the end of their flight and the beginning of their life underground as reproductives. The discarded wings, which resemble tiny, translucent fish scales, are often the first visible sign of an active termite infestation. Finding small piles of these shed wings near windows, doors, or other entry points suggests a swarm has occurred from a mature colony nearby, or possibly one already within the structure. The newly wingless pair will then find a sheltered spot, such as damp wood or soil, to begin burrowing and lay their first clutch of eggs.