termite?
#3
Hard to tell from fuzzy pics. Live specimens would be best. But one big identifying mark is that termites will have straight antenna. Ants will have a definite bend (angle) on their antenna where they are bent.
I can't tell if the antenna are bent or straight in your pics.
I can't tell if the antenna are bent or straight in your pics.
#4
Forum Topic Moderator
The second pic from top seems to show a three-segmented body which would indicate "not termites". This time of year, in certain geographic locations, termites are swarming as it is the time for reproduction. The reproductive termites swarm in mass, lose their wings, mate, lay eggs in soil and die. You would find many wings lying loosely in the area. I suspect you didn't find many loose wings, or you would have pointed that out. Sidenote: Worker termites rarely leave the soil or their food source and look like white ants to an extent while the swarmers look like brown/black ants with wings at first, then losing them. The presence of swarmers (reproductives) indicates that a colony of workers is close by and needs attention.
Look closely at the insect body with a magnifier. Is there three distinct body parts as opposed to more of a "unibody"? Three distinct body parts/segments would not be a termite.
Search "stored product pests" and click on "images". There are a variety of small beetles that appear similar. I noted that one of your pictures is in the pantry area which supports stored product pest ID, so far. Keep us posted.
Look closely at the insect body with a magnifier. Is there three distinct body parts as opposed to more of a "unibody"? Three distinct body parts/segments would not be a termite.
Search "stored product pests" and click on "images". There are a variety of small beetles that appear similar. I noted that one of your pictures is in the pantry area which supports stored product pest ID, so far. Keep us posted.