OPM Termite Practice Exam

To which family are termites most closely related?

1. Bee family

2. Ant family

3. Cockroach family

4. Fly family

The correct answer is: Cockroach family

Termites are most closely related to the cockroach family. This relationship is based on both genetic and evolutionary studies, which indicate that termites share a common ancestor with cockroaches, making them a part of the same order, Blattodea. Over time, termites have evolved a unique set of behaviors and characteristics, including social organization and wood digestion through symbiotic relationships with microorganisms, but their closest relatives remain the cockroaches. In contrast, although bees, ants, and flies are all insects, they belong to different orders. Ants, while socially structured like termites, are members of the Hymenoptera order, and thus not as closely related. Flies belong to the Diptera order, which is also separated from both termites and cockroaches. Therefore, the distinction between termite's evolutionary pathways and their most closely related family is well established, affirming that the cockroach family is indeed the correct choice.