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.
The termites social organization is divided into four key groups. Young nymphs which are the undeveloped termite young. The reproductive termites consisting of a primary queen and king, as well as possible secondary reproductives. Worker termites to build and gather for the colony and soldier termites to defend the colony from outside threats.
After an alate, or winged queen, leaves her home colony she flys off to find a mate and start a new colony. The new queen and king will mate for life. This new colony will start with only a few workers, but will slowly start growing.
When a queen termites starts her egg laying, her capacity is somewhat limited. As she begins to mature she will begin laying more and more eggs. As her egg laying capacity increases the termite queen's body lengthens in size. An older, mature termite queen can literally lay tens of thousands of eggs a day.
Worker termites take on the hard task of building and maintaining the nest, foraging and storing of food, and feeding the other members of the colony. The feeding of one colony member by another with substances from either the mouth or anus is known as trophallaxis and, as unappetizing as it seems, is actually one of the key factors that lead to the success of the whole group.
Termite soldiers have the defensive role in the colony. Their large heads and mandibles are well suited to ward of invaders. Whenever there is a disturbance in the colony soldier termites will rush there. If the colonies tunnels are ever exposed, termite soldiers will protect the opening while workers close the gap. If need be, termite soldiers can also use their heads to block openings and tunnels.
Termites are detrivores by nature. In simpler terms, this means that they obtain their nutrients by feeding off organic matter that is already decomposing. Termites are particularly fond of dead plant material because of its cellulose. Cellulose is a rich energy source and is staple to their diet. Among the general grouping of termites in accordance to their feeding behavior - subterranean, drywood, dampwood, soil-feeding, and grass-eating - it is the subterranean and drywood termites that are primarily implicated in the destruction of man-made structures.
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. - 15254
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.
The termites social organization is divided into four key groups. Young nymphs which are the undeveloped termite young. The reproductive termites consisting of a primary queen and king, as well as possible secondary reproductives. Worker termites to build and gather for the colony and soldier termites to defend the colony from outside threats.
After an alate, or winged queen, leaves her home colony she flys off to find a mate and start a new colony. The new queen and king will mate for life. This new colony will start with only a few workers, but will slowly start growing.
When a queen termites starts her egg laying, her capacity is somewhat limited. As she begins to mature she will begin laying more and more eggs. As her egg laying capacity increases the termite queen's body lengthens in size. An older, mature termite queen can literally lay tens of thousands of eggs a day.
Worker termites take on the hard task of building and maintaining the nest, foraging and storing of food, and feeding the other members of the colony. The feeding of one colony member by another with substances from either the mouth or anus is known as trophallaxis and, as unappetizing as it seems, is actually one of the key factors that lead to the success of the whole group.
Termite soldiers have the defensive role in the colony. Their large heads and mandibles are well suited to ward of invaders. Whenever there is a disturbance in the colony soldier termites will rush there. If the colonies tunnels are ever exposed, termite soldiers will protect the opening while workers close the gap. If need be, termite soldiers can also use their heads to block openings and tunnels.
Termites are detrivores by nature. In simpler terms, this means that they obtain their nutrients by feeding off organic matter that is already decomposing. Termites are particularly fond of dead plant material because of its cellulose. Cellulose is a rich energy source and is staple to their diet. Among the general grouping of termites in accordance to their feeding behavior - subterranean, drywood, dampwood, soil-feeding, and grass-eating - it is the subterranean and drywood termites that are primarily implicated in the destruction of man-made structures.
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. - 15254
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Confused with the differences between termites vs ants? These handy termite identification guides can help.
