I couldn't get much better - the camera wouldn't focus much closer, but I did crop & brighten these, so I think they're clearer.

Thanks for posting better images, I am not familiar with that insect; other forum regulars have not chimed in yet.

Compare to drywood termite.

edit: removed link as the webpage was wrestling with the browser, excessive scripts or ads perhaps.

oh yea! That's not good. I can see little mandibles looking closely. BTW, the link is missing an "l" at the end. Thanks for the help!

I want to add an update since I had a termite expert inspect the house. He looked closely at the bug and said he thought it was an ant, though he wasn't 100%. He went under the house and did a full inspection, and there were no signs of termites and no termite droppings.

It worries me that your expert thinks that your insect is an ant.

At least the expert did not recognize it as a termite, and found no termite evidence. ID is still up in the air.

Termite. Perhaps dampwood termite It's an adult which has dropped its wings.

Where do you live?

Your "expert" needs a lesson in how to differentiate between a termite and an ant. See this -- http://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/ANTKEY/antid3.html

I live in the San Fernando Valley/LA.

Do dampwood termites wander? I found this bug indoors on a wall near a window & haven't seen any similar bugs for a month.

I would definitely get a second opinion, that is most likely a termite.

If I were to judge by abdomen color I would say ant and not termite, but the head and antennae don't quite seem to fit an ant, this might be because the photo lacks enough detail, the head and antennae don't seem to fit a termite either so if I had to choose between the 2 I would say "ant".

Antennae structure and lack of petiole doesn't indicate any Hymenopteran that I am familiar with.