Aspects of the water relations of worker and soldier Formosan subterranean,Coptotermes formosanusShiraki, and eastern subterranean,Reticuliiermes flavipes(Kollar), termites were investigated. The percentage of total body water ranged from 55.68 ± 0.42% forC. formosanusfemale alates to 75.88 ± 0.36% forR. flavipesworkers. Body water loss of both species increased linearly from 2 to 10 h at 30°C and 0–2% RH. Cuticular permeabilities ranged from 15.22 ± 0.93 μg cm−2h−1mmHg−1forC. formosanussoldiers to 42.53 ± 0.21 μg cm−2h−1mmHg−1forC. formosanusmale alates. Cuticular permeability ofC. formosanussoldiers was also significantly less than that of any stage ofR. flavipes. Water loss at death ranged from 35.30 to 55.49% forC. formosanussoldiers andR. flavipesmale alates, respectively. Water content of nest material ranged from 16.3 to 67.7% for both species.