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Where are termites most abundant in the world?

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Learn how termites use salivary secretions to cement debris to decaying wood nests in their rainforest habitat — termite A termite nest in a tropical rainforest.

Termites are distributed widely across the globe, but they reach their greatest abundance in both numbers and species diversity within tropical rainforests.12

While they are most prevalent in tropical regions, termites are found in a variety of environments, ranging from moist subterranean habitats to hot, dry locations. Their natural distribution extends into various temperate regions, including parts of North America, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, human activity has inadvertently transported several species to new areas, where they have established colonies in diverse climates.21