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UC IPM Home > Antkey > Distinguishing Ants from Termites > Quiz

How to Manage Pests

Key to Identifying Common Household Ants


Can you tell the difference between ants and termites?

  • For the following illustrations, identify whether the characteristic shown is typical of ants or of termites.
  • For each pair of illustrations, click "Submit" when finished or "Reset" to start over.

Wings:

A. Hind and front wings are the same size with many veins

Same size wings
Ants
Termites

B. Hind wings are smaller than the front with few veins

Hind wings smaller than front
 Ants
 Termites
 


Antennae:

A. Elbowed

Elbowed antennae
Ants
Termites

B. Not elbowed

Antennae not elbowed
 Ants
 Termites
 

Abdomen:

A. Thin waist

Thin waist
Ants
Termites

B. Broad waist

Broad waist
 Ants
 Termites
 

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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