Termites - Caste System, Reproductives, Workers, Soldiers, The Mature Colony
species families nest complex
Termites are slender, social insects, ranging in size from 0.007-0.072 in (2-22 mm) long. The reproductive members of the species have wing spans of 0.03-0.3 in (10-90 mm). Inhabiting nests of their own construction, they live in permanent and often highly developed communities. While termites thrive in warm, humid environments, some species have also adapted to open savannas and temperate zones. They are most commonly found in the tropical parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
Termites belong to the order Isoptera, which includes seven families of termites, containing about 200 genera and about 2,300 species. The families are: (1) the Mastotermitidae, (2) the Kalotermitidae, (3) the Termopsidae, (4) the Hodotermitidae, (5) the Rhinotermitidae, (6) the Serritermitidae, and (7) the Termitidae. The first five families are referred to as the lower termites, while the last two are known as the higher termites.
The classification into lower and higher termites refers to the termites' level of evolution, both in terms of behavior and anatomy. The higher termites have a more complex and developed social structure and build a more complex and varied nest. The most advanced nests start below the ground and form a mound above. A termite nest in Australia measured almost 20 ft (6.66 m) high and 98 ft (33 m) around. Three-quarters of all species of termites belong to the higher termite groups.
Additional Topics
There are two reproductive castes providing for the continuation of the species. The primary reproductive caste—known as alates—consists of potential kings and queens. At a specific time each year, depending on the species and environment, a swarm of these alates leaves the original nest to start a new colony. The vast majority of swarming alates fall prey to birds, bats, lizards, sn…
The workers form by far the largest caste and live exclusively underground; they are pale, have large toughened heads, and lack eyes. When the first workers are old enough to leave the nest, they begin to undertake their multiple duties. First, they search for food, leaving the queen free to devote all of her time to egg-laying. Eventually, the workers provide food for the king, queen, larvae, and…
Deep within the nest, protected by soldiers and cared for by workers, the queen begins to grow. While her head and thorax do not change, her abdomen increases in size as her ovaries enlarge and her egg-laying capacity increases. In some highly evolved species with extraordinarily large colonies, the queen can swell to more than 5.5 in (77 cm) in length and 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) in diameter; thus, h…
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