Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:48:37 +0000

They’re Not Bugs — These Flying Termites Are Changing What We Know For years, scientists and property owners alike have focused on identifying unwelcome flying insects as simple termite swarms or occasional wood-destroying pests. But new research reveals something unexpected—and groundbreaking: not all flying termites are just pests. In fact, some species—long misunderstood—are newly recognized as "flying termites" that are reshaping our understanding of insect evolution, ecology, and even conservation. ### Are These Flying Termites Really Termites? Contrary to common belief, flying termites are not bugs or wasps—they are social insects that belong to the group of insects known as Isoptera (sometimes grouped under Blattodea, the same order as cockroaches). What many call "flying termites" are actually reproductive swarmers from mature termite colonies. These winged individuals, equipped with powerful flight muscles and sensory adaptations, take to the skies during seasonal swarming to mate and establish new colonies.