In the strictest sense, termites are eusocial insects classified under the taxonomic order, Isoptera. The term eusocial is defined as having the "highest level of social organization in a hierarchical classification." Because of their very communal nature, they are usually found in clusters of colonies with a number of individual members that range from several thousand to several million.
Each member of a termite colony instinctively knows their job and how to work with the other members of the termite colony. This swarm intelligence works even in the absence of centralized control. It is a classic example of a self-organized, decentralized system. This allows termite colonies to continue on even if a significant portion of the colony was lost.
Termites social hierarchy is divided into several key groups, with each group performing distinct responsibilities. The core group is the reproductive termites. They consist of a primary queen and king as well as possible secondary reproductives. The eggs and young undeveloped termite nymphs are taken care of by termite workers. Workers also do the work for the hive with soldier termites protecting the colony against outside threats.
A female termite that has flown and mated and is now laying eggs is called a queen. Likewise, a male that has achieved the first two and is remaining in close proximity to the queen is the colony's king. Contrary to the previous belief that a colony is lead by only one queen, multiple reproductive pairs in a termites' nest are not an uncommon sight.
When it reaches maturity, a queen termite develops this immense capacity to lay eggs - more than a thousand per day, in fact. It achieves this by developing an extra pair of ovaries with each shedding of its outer skeleton. This, in turn, greatly increases its ability to reproduce. In the course of her life, the queen's body lengthens to a size that restricts her from being able to move about freely so it is up to the worker termites to feed both her and her young.
Worker termites are responsible for the task of building and maintaining the nest, gathering food and feeding the other members of the colony. It is actually the termite workers that cause the damage to your home and property. They work tirelessly during their short two to four year life to take care of the colony.
Soldier termites have evolved both anatomically and behaviorally to make them fit against predator attacks. Many of them have enlarged heads and jaws and some have even developed the ability to secrete nasty substances to ward off not so friendly neighbors.
Termites get their nutrients from organic matter such as wood. Specifically the cellulose. To them the source of the cellulose doesn't matter. It can be trees or tree products such as paper. To them it is all the same. This also means, that they can't tell the difference between trees and a home.
While humans consider termites a nuisance, they fill an important role in nature. Termites accelerate the decomposition and breakdown of trees and wood that would otherwise build up and clutter the ecosystem. - 15437
Each member of a termite colony instinctively knows their job and how to work with the other members of the termite colony. This swarm intelligence works even in the absence of centralized control. It is a classic example of a self-organized, decentralized system. This allows termite colonies to continue on even if a significant portion of the colony was lost.
Termites social hierarchy is divided into several key groups, with each group performing distinct responsibilities. The core group is the reproductive termites. They consist of a primary queen and king as well as possible secondary reproductives. The eggs and young undeveloped termite nymphs are taken care of by termite workers. Workers also do the work for the hive with soldier termites protecting the colony against outside threats.
A female termite that has flown and mated and is now laying eggs is called a queen. Likewise, a male that has achieved the first two and is remaining in close proximity to the queen is the colony's king. Contrary to the previous belief that a colony is lead by only one queen, multiple reproductive pairs in a termites' nest are not an uncommon sight.
When it reaches maturity, a queen termite develops this immense capacity to lay eggs - more than a thousand per day, in fact. It achieves this by developing an extra pair of ovaries with each shedding of its outer skeleton. This, in turn, greatly increases its ability to reproduce. In the course of her life, the queen's body lengthens to a size that restricts her from being able to move about freely so it is up to the worker termites to feed both her and her young.
Worker termites are responsible for the task of building and maintaining the nest, gathering food and feeding the other members of the colony. It is actually the termite workers that cause the damage to your home and property. They work tirelessly during their short two to four year life to take care of the colony.
Soldier termites have evolved both anatomically and behaviorally to make them fit against predator attacks. Many of them have enlarged heads and jaws and some have even developed the ability to secrete nasty substances to ward off not so friendly neighbors.
Termites get their nutrients from organic matter such as wood. Specifically the cellulose. To them the source of the cellulose doesn't matter. It can be trees or tree products such as paper. To them it is all the same. This also means, that they can't tell the difference between trees and a home.
While humans consider termites a nuisance, they fill an important role in nature. Termites accelerate the decomposition and breakdown of trees and wood that would otherwise build up and clutter the ecosystem. - 15437
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Have you ever wondered what does a termite look like? Our helpful termite pictures can help you quickly identify termites.
