Termites or its scientific name isoptera is a class of insecta and a order of isoptera.
Termite, (order Isoptera), any of a group of cellulose-eating insects, the social system of which shows remarkable parallels with those of ants and bees, although it has evolved independently. Even though termites are not closely related to ants, they are sometimes referred to as white ants. Phylogenetic studies have shown that the closest relative to the termite is the cockroach; for this reason termites are sometimes placed in the order Dictyoptera, which also contains the mantids.
Termites are well known both for their destruction of human property and for their construction of huge mounds or 'termitaria' which allow them to have a great degree of control over the temperature and humidity of the environment they live in. They are common in the tropics and occur in most warm habitats as well. They are often called 'white ants' because the majority of them are white and small and live in large colonies much like ants. They are not actually closely related to the ants at all but are closely related to the Cockroaches. The most primitve Termite known is Mastotermes darwiniensis from northern Australia. Mastotermes darwiniensis lives in the soil in nests consisting of up to 1 000 000 individuals, has very catholic tastes (will eat almost anything) and has been described as the most destructive insect in Northern Australia, its workers a very similar to nymphs of the Cockroach Cryptocercus punctulatus. Some of the most advanced species are the Macrotermtinae which grow fungi for food (Termitomyces) inside their nests on piles of faecal pellets. The oldest known Termites are fossils of Cretotermes carpenteri from the Cretaceous. The sterile workers live for 2-4 years while primary sexuals live for at least 20 and perhaps 50 years
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