- All insect adults have 6 legs, but the larval stage can have many or no legs
- Arthropods other than insects can have more than six legs (spiders, mites, ticks, harvestmen, etc. have eight legs; millipedes, centipedes, and sow bugs have more than eight legs)
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On an insect that doesn't have wings, the abdominal segments () are visible. |
Helpful Hints about Beetles
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This arrow marks the division between the pair of elytra, the hard, shell-like outer wings of most beetles. |
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During fight, the elytra lift and allow the second pair of wings to work. |
How to Tell Ants from Termites
Click on the image to see a larger version. Photo: USDA Forest Service Archive, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org |
This is important because if you are trying to exterminate termites, you need to know that you don't have ants instead. |
Sometimes ants and termites have wings, and sometimes they don't.
Ants and termites are social insects, and only the queens and males ever have wings. Soldier and Worker ants and termites (all sterile females), never have wings. You are likely to see only worker ants and termites, although at times large swarms of winged ants and termites will gather when they are looking for mates.
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Photo: Sarah Vanek, Bugwood.org |
Photo: Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood.org |
Queen carpenter ant (.5-.7", 13-17 mm)
Queen termite (3/8", 10 mm)
Pavement ant workers; worker ants do not have wings.
Soldier and worker termites have no wings.Unless otherwise noted, all photos and illustrations by NYS IPM Staff