Which feature distinguishes winged termites from winged ants?

Winged termites can be distinctly identified by the characteristic of having equal-sized wings. Unlike winged ants, which typically have forewings that are longer than their hindwings, termites possess two pairs of wings that are of equal length. This uniformity in wing size is a key visual feature that helps in differentiating them from ants.

In the context of the other features: bent antennae are indicative of ants, which have elbowed antennae, while termites generally have straight antennae. A narrow waist is characteristic of ants; they have a constricted waist compared to termites, which have a more robust and uniform body shape. Additionally, the thickness of antennae differs; termites possess straight and thinner antennae, while the curved and thicker antennae of ants reflect their different classifications within the insect order. Thus, equal-sized wings serve as a clear and distinguishing feature of winged termites compared to winged ants.