Kingdom: Animalia – defined as, “multicellular organisms that have a well defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli.”(Webster's)
Phylum: Arthropoda – Arthropods have external skeletons, segmented bodies and jointed appendages. Also includes arachnids and crustaceans.
Class: Insecta – Insects have three part bodies, three pairs of legs, and two antennae.
Order: Isoptera – Meaning “equal wing” because the front and rear wings of the reproductive alates are of the same length.
Family: There are seven families of termites worldwide. Of these seven, only two are found in Louisiana.
Census data taken from "The Termite Species of Louisiana: An Identification Guide" By Matthew T.Messenger and the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board. 2004.
Content by Chris Dunaway
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture