[2] They are found in most temperate regions on Earth including much of Asia and the Middle East, Western Europe, and all of North America.

This has shown to bias female alate production over males, likely because colony members favor caring for those who they are most related to (see Kin Selection).

This is believed to be caused by the sexual dimorphism in termites in which females have a larger size potential than males and the fact that soldiers need to be able to plug entrances with their large heads.

Reticulitermes urbis, a newly described species is found in urban zones in the southeast of France[15] (Marseille in the west to Italy in the east).

Long-lived queens of Reticulitermes speratus have markedly less oxidative damage to their DNA than non-reproductive individuals (workers, soldiers and nymphs).

[19] Catalase catalyzes the decomposition the reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide, and protects against oxidative stress.

It appears that the extended longevity of R. speratus queens is partially explained by their efficient antioxidant capability.