Termite Biology (subterranean termites)
Termites feed on wood and serve an important function in nature by converting
dead trees into organic matter. Unfortunately, the wood in buildings is equally appetizing to termites and they cause serious
damage to residential and commercial buildings.
Biology
Subterranean termites are ground-inhabiting,
social insects that live in colonies. A colony or nest of subterranean termites may be up to 18-20 feet below the soil surface
to protect it from extreme weather conditions. These termites travel through mud tubes to reach food sources above the soil
surface. The mature termite colony has three castes: a) reproductives (king and queen), b) soldiers, and c) workers. The colony
reaches its maximum size in approximately 4 to 5 years and may include 60,000 to 200,000 workers. New colonies are formed
when winged males and females from a parent colony emerge in flight or swarm.
The winged reproductives are dark brown to brownish black and have two pairs
of equal size wings that extend well beyond the body. Swarms are common in spring and fall, especially after a rain. After
a flight, the winged males and females return to the ground and shed their wings. The wingless males and females pair off
and search for sources of wood and moisture in soil. The royal couple digs a chamber in the soil near wood, enters the chamber
and seals the opening. After mating, the queen starts laying eggs. The queen may live up to 25 years and lay more than 60,000
eggs in her lifetime. The eggs are yellowish white and hatch after an incubation of 50 to 60 days.
Full-grown workers are soft-bodied, wingless, blind and creamy white. In
early stages, they are fed predigested food by the king and queen. Once workers are able to digest wood, they provide food
for the entire colony. The workers perform all the labor in the colony such as obtaining food, feeding other caste members
and immatures, excavating wood, and constructing tunnels. Workers mature within a year and live from three to five years.
Soldiers are creamy white, soft-bodied, wingless and blind. The head of
the soldier is enormously elongated, brownish, hard and equipped with two jaws. Soldiers must be fed by workers because they
cannot feed themselves. They are less numerous in the colony than workers and their only function is to defend the colony
against invaders. Soldiers mature within a year and live up to five years.
Difference Between Termites and Ants
Flying ants
and swarming termites are often difficult to tell apart. Termites have relatively straight, beadlike antennae while ants have
elbowed antennae. Termites have two pair of wings (front and back) that are of almost equal length. Ants also have two pair
of wings but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings. The abdomen of the termite is broadly joined to the thorax
while the abdomen and thorax of the ant are joined by a narrow waist called a petiole.
