Order Isoptera

Greek "iso" meaning equal and "ptera" meaning wings, refers to the similar size, shape, and venation of the four wings

1. Minute to medium sized
2. Chewing mouthparts
3. Compound eyes present in winged (alate) forms, lacking in all workers
4. Alate forms are reproductives
5. Antennae are short monifiliform or filiform
6. When winged, the wings are identical, membranous
7. Shed by a basal fracture line
8. Pair of short cerci
9. Depression on front of head called fontanelle in many species

• Isoptera - from NCSU
• Gordon's Isoptera (Termites) Page
• Univ. Toronto Urban Entomology Page