A number of phylogenetic studies during the last decade have shown that termites—one of the main groups of eusocial insects—are a type of cockroach, whose closest living relative is the wood-feeding genus Cryptocercus (reviewed in Klass & Meier (2006) and Inward et al.(2007)).

Inward et al. addressed the taxonomic issue of having an order (Isoptera; termites) nested within another order (Blattaria/Blattodea; cockroaches). They suggested that the ordinal rank that has long been afforded to termites be downgraded—‘Death of an Order’—and proposed that termites be placed in a single family (Termitidae). While we agree with downgrading termites, we believe ranking them as a family will unduly destabilize termite nomenclature and disrupt scientific communication. In this paper, we outline the negative impact of Inward et al.’s taxonomic proposal and suggest alternative schemes more consistent with prevailing usage. First, Inward et al.’s proposal has consequences because the major termite lineages are already well defined at the family rank and an enormous biological and economic literature has employed this system of names. Currently, termites are classified into seven families: Mastotermitidae; Termopsidae; Hodotermitidae; Kalotermitidae; Serritermitidae; Rhinotermitidae; and Termitidae. These names are almost universally accepted and used (Engel & Krishna 2004). Thus, forcing their translation to the lower ranking suffix of subfamily (-inae) is unlikely to become widely adopted. Family is therefore not an ideal rank for the termites because it does not