PEST EVIDENCE GUIDE / VISIBLE CLUE
Winged insects and shed wings
A short swarm or pile of shed wings can be alarming, but winged ants and termites can look similar at a glance. Photograph an intact insect and its wings if possible, then compare body shape and the setting where it appeared.
THE RELEVANT EVIDENCE
Guides in this collection
WINGED INSECTS
Termite swarmers and shed wings
Learn what a termite swarm or pile of wings may mean and how to document it before an inspection.
Read guide COMPARISONSTermite or flying ant? Three clues to compare
Compare the three visible features that can help distinguish winged termites from winged ants.
Read guideFROM THE JOURNAL
Go a step further.
01Room checklistsDead bugs in light fixtures: what the collection can tell youInterpret a collection of dead insects without assuming it identifies the source or current activity.02Wood and structureDiscarded wings on a windowsill: what to record firstDocument a wing finding without treating loose wings as proof of termites or an indoor colony.