About 3,000 species comprising about 300 genera. Mostly tropical or subtropical, distribution generally between 48 degrees North or South. Distribution limited by temperature envelope, especially winter minima, availability of moisture and nesting sites. Food rarely limiting. Found in most terrestrial habitats, including grasslands, shrublands, open and closed forests. Greatest diversity in heathlands and tropic rainforests.
Mostly detrivorous, hence propensity to feed upon timber constructions. Poor dispersal by natural means, but spread widely by human action (eg. West Indian drywood termite and Formosan subterranean termite are now pests in many countries). Colony integration in part maintained by a complex series of chemical communications, such as the female above, releasing a scent to attract a mate or the various chemicals used to lay feeding trails.
Termites are diverse. The different types do very different things. It is important to find out what type of termite you have. . . . read the real pages for more info . . .