Termites are just fancy cockroaches!

Are termites cockroaches? This debate has been going on since 1934! Originally, a group of researchers found similar microbes in the guts of cockroaches and termites -- leading some to believe termites were just cockroaches with social hierarchies. Yet, the debate ranged on, and in 2007 researchers used new genetic evidence to argue for the "death of an order".

However, it was not until this week, that the American entomologists’ organization voted to officially bring the death to the termite order. In this huge move, the name will change to 'something something termite'. So, if you like me, despise cockroaches but think termites are cool -- its time to take a serious look at your insect prejudice! 

- Elizabeth (Liz) Tapanes