Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Winged Critters

Yesterday I pictured some warblers enjoying winged termites, which kept fluttering through the air.
Here are some of the termites on the ground. Birders often call these eruptive spring events “hatch-outs” as all sorts of birds come for the feasting at ground level or close to it.
Both male and female reproductive caste members of a termite colony have wings. Some of the wings seem longer than others: could that be sexual dimorphism? They’ll take off searching for a mate.
Once mated, they lose their wings, which are pointless underground.
These might be Eastern Subterranean Termites.

One response to “Winged Critters”

  1. alaspooryorick

    Reminds me of Subterranean Homesick Blues, by Bob Dylan.

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