termite; white ant
Common insect; often a household pest. The term 'white ant' is a colloquial name, though termites are not true ants.
This house has termite damage.
Termites prefer damp wood.
Formosan subterranean termite
web-spinner; embiopteran
Katakana spelling is common; usually written in kana; preferred headword.
Kanji spelling; less common than kana but still encountered.
Mixed kanji-katakana spelling.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling.
Compound of 白 (しろ, 'white') + 蟻 (あり, 'ant'), from the pale color and ant-like appearance. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.