ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part considers the roles of the termites, ants, and wasps. The termites, so divergent from the Hymenoptera in origin, are fully comparable in the complexity of their caste system and the organization of their societies. The three great groups of social insects may thus have far-reaching effects on ecosystems through modification of habitat, their contributions to energy flow and cycling of nutrients, and their often strong interactions with other organisms. They are thus "micro-ruminants", both primary consumers and decomposers, sharing this resource with a variety of soil invertebrates, fungi, and micro-organisms. Except for a very few species, the wasps have received little ecological attention. Considering their smaller numbers and colony size, they are probably most conspicuous as predators. It is well known that termites plague man by damaging crops, denuding pastures, and destroying timber in forests and wood in buildings.
