Information About termites
The termites are a group of social insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera As truly social animals, they are termed eusocial along with the ants and some bees and wasps which are all placed in the separate order Hymenoptera.
Termites are sometimes called “white ants”, though they are unrelated to true ants. They are more closely regaled to cockroaches.
Geographical Distribution
Globally, termites are found roughly between 50 degrees North & South.Termites are probably inhabit about 70% at the land area .Extremely common in tropical and subtropical climates.Generally less abundant in temperate regions.
Social insects
Termites, like other social insects, are characterized by:
- live in colonies that, at maturity, number from several hundred to several million individuals.
- prime example of decentralised, self-organised .
- cooperation in the rearing of young
- sharing of resources (i.e., food, water and shelter),
- an overlapping of generations (i.e., eggs are laid year-round), and
- a division of labor, characterized by the presence of one or more castes, or life forms
Economic Importance of Termites:
Termites are an important part of the community of decomposers. They are abundant in tropical and subtropical environments where they help break down and recycle up to one third of the annual production of dead wood. Termites become economic pests when their appetite for wood and wood products extends to human homes, building materials, forests, and other commercial products.
Termites inhabit about 70% at the land area
Learn About Termites
Termite Colony and Its Members
A mature, complete, or ideal termite colony contains several thousand to several million individuals, divided into the following main castes:
A. The Queen and King
B. Workers
C. Soldiers
D. Winged Reproductives (Alates)
In addition, the colony also contains eggs, nymphs, and supplementary reproductives.
Social Insects
Termites are considered truly social insects (Eusocial) and, like other social insects, are characterized by the following traits:
Cooperation in caring for the young.
Sharing essential resources, including food, water, and shelter.
Presence of overlapping generations, where adults, eggs, and immature individuals coexist throughout the year.
Working together to ensure the survival and continuity of the colony.
A centralized system and self-organization.
Colony Members
1. Queen and King
The queen is the egg-laying machine of the colony and can live 15 to 30 years.
She lays 2,000 to 3,000 eggs per day, depending on the species.
The queen secretes a pheromone that indicates her presence and dominance within the colony.
The king’s role is to fertilize the queen; he lives with her in the royal chamber at the center of the colony, under the care of the workers.
Both the queen and king are fully developed adults and possess compound eyes.
2. Soldiers
Their primary role is to defend the colony, especially against ants.
They are characterized by a rectangular-shaped head, which ranges in color from orange to black, depending on the species.
The head is armored and equipped with mandibles shaped like pincers.
At the front of the forehead, there is a gland that secretes a sticky, toxic substance in some species.
They are usually the first individuals seen when a colony is disturbed or exposed.
They are either partially or completely blind and typically live for 3 to 7 years.
Soldiers also produce a warning pheromone, a special signal released in case of danger.
3. Workers
Workers are the most numerous caste in the termite colony.
They are creamy-white in color, with a soft, fragile body, and typically live for 3 to 7 years.
Throughout their lifetime, they are responsible for all the colony’s tasks, including:
Collecting and preparing food for the queen and other colony members.
Building tunnels, chambers, and passageways, as well as expanding and maintaining the colony structure.
Transferring the queen’s control pheromone to other individuals through mouth-to-mouth feeding.
Producing the trail pheromone, which marks the path to a food source for other colony members.
They do not develop wings, have no compound eyes, and are completely blind.
4. Winged Reproductives
These are sexually mature individuals whose main role is to preserve the species by establishing new colonies after leaving the original one.
They are often referred to as reproductives or colony founders.
They begin to gather near the exit points of the colony at the start of the rainy season, especially when environmental conditions like temperature and humidity are favorable.
They emerge in large numbers in the form of swarms.
Distinguishing Between Winged Termites and Winged Ants
Swarms of termites and ants leave their nests with the goal of establishing new colonies.
It is often difficult for the general public to distinguish between winged termites and winged ants.
The following morphological differences can help tell them apart:
Antennae:
Termites have long, beaded (moniliform) antennae.
Ants have short, elbowed antennae.
Waist (Petiole):
Ants have a narrow, distinct waist between the thorax and abdomen, called the petiole or node.
Termites have a broad, indistinct waist, making the body appear more uniform.
Wings:
Termites have two pairs of wings that are equal in size and shape (front and hind wings).
Ants have larger front wings compared to the hind wings.
