Original: Termites mostly feed on dead plant material , generally in the form of wood , leaf litter , soil , or animal dung , and about 10 % of the estimated 4,000 species ( about 2,600 taxonomically known ) are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage to buildings , crops or plantation forests .
Simplified: Termites mostly feed on dead plant material , mostly wood , leaf litter , soil , or animal dung . About 10 % of the estimated 4,000 species ( about 2,600 taxonomically known ) are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage to buildings , crops or plantation forests .