Termites are small, eusocial insects classified within the order Blattodea, infraorder Isoptera, closely related to cockroaches rather than ants, despite sometimes being called "white ants" due to their pale color and social behavior

. They typically measure between 4 and 15 millimeters in length, with worker termites being cream-colored and eyeless, while reproductive termites have wings and eyes

. Termites live in large colonies that can range from a few individuals to several million members, organized into castes such as workers, soldiers, and reproductive kings and queens, each with specialized roles

. They primarily consume cellulose found in wood, leaf litter, soil humus, and other decaying plant material, playing an important role in nutrient recycling in ecosystems but also causing significant structural damage to wooden buildings and homes

. There are about 2,997 described termite species worldwide, with most found in tropical regions, although some species inhabit temperate areas

. Termites build nests in soil or wood and create extensive underground tunnel networks to access food sources, often causing damage when they infest wooden structures

. In summary, termites are social, wood-eating insects related to cockroaches that live in complex colonies and can cause serious damage to wooden structures by feeding on cellulose-containing materials