Termite Behavior
Termite Behavior
A high role in the survival of this species is that termites will divide their colonies into classes or castes. This specialized system, is compromised of workers, soldiers and reproductives. Workers are the bulk of the termite colony. They are responsible for nest construction, harvesting cellulose for food and caring for the rest of the colony. Solider termites are responsible for upholding the safety of the colony. With their large heads these insects are used for a variety of tasks including warning others of danger, flipping other termites out of harms way or defense. Reproductives, known as alates, are the typically the swarmers of the colony. They eventually will pair up and become kings and queens of new colonies.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites have 6 legs, 3 body parts with a broad waist, segmented antennae and an exoskeleton. Protozoa in their digestive tract are responsible for converting wood products to usable nutrients. Caste features differ: Swarmers/Alates-3/8” long with wings, yellow-brown, two sets of equal sized wings are transparent with hardened veins. MORE
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites are a social insect having caste members including reproductives, soldiers and nymphs. Each caste has different physical features. Reproductive alates are 1/2 inch long, dark brown to yellow, and have smoky gray wings. MORE
Termite Facts
Termites eat wood from inside out, defying detection for years while doing extensive damage.
- Termites will eat wood, paper on drywall, furniture, cardboard and more. No cellulose material is immune.
- Termites have been around for over 200 million years and are closely related to the cockroach.
- Termites invade a structure through cracks and crevices, and then attack the wood.
- Termite colonies are complicated caste systems designed to reproduce.
