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Termites life cycle varies, depending on the species it belongs to.
- Termites are also called white ants or wood ants and are often confused with ants.
- However, researchers found noticeable differences among them when they observed termites under a microscope.
- They are, in fact, closer to the family of cockroaches.
- About 3000 species of termites are known all over the world.
- These cellulose-eating insects like to feed on wood, which is a rich source of cellulose.
- Termites are of the rank infraorder Isoptera.
- Like ants and bees, termites are social insects.
- They live in large colonies, which can take time to develop.
- Termites are found in all parts of the world except Antarctica, as they can mostly survive in hot and humid climates.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Termites, Isoptera, Ants, Insects, Cellulose, Nymphs, Egg, Moulting, Life cycle, Reproduction, Juvenile termites
Stages of the Termite Life Cycle
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Termites grow in three stages.
- Egg: Their life cycle begins with eggs, which hatch into nymphs (or juvenile termites).
- Nymphs: Termite nymphs moult numerous times before reaching maturity.
- Adult: Once they become adult termites, they join the colony's caste structure, which includes reproductive flying alates (or swarmers) who break away to start new colonies.
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Egg Stage
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Female termites lay eggs in a jelly-like liquid that holds the eggs together.
- The eggs are small and white and can be seen with the naked eye.
- Before the eggs are hatched into larvae, they are incubated for several weeks.
- And a female termite can lay as many as 30,000 eggs in a day.
Nymph Stage
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When the eggs are hatched, what comes out is the termite larvae.
- They are also called nymphs or immatures.
- They are tiny white exoskeletons.
- Usually, they are called nymphs after their first moult.
- These nymphs then form antennae and six legs.
- They move up the life cycle through moulting.
- Moulting is the process where they shed their skin to grow.
- Eventually, they develop into a particular class of termites as they move up the life cycle.
Adult Stage
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When the nymphs mature, they reach the adult stage. In this stage, they form large colonies based on castes.
Their caste system includes workers, soldiers, and reproductives.
Workers
Worker termites form the largest termite colony.
- Most of the nymphs turn into worker termites.
- They are yellowish-white in colour.
- As they grow up into workers from nymphs, their size increases.
- Workers do not possess eyes or wings.
Soldiers
Soldiers form the second-largest termite colony.
- They can defend themselves and work to guard the nest.
- Soldiers are blind and sterile.
- They are the most active members of the termite family.
- They have large heads and mandibles, especially for defending themselves and fighting invaders.
- They rely on workers to feed them.
- Their large heads and dark jaws distinguish them from worker termites.
Reproductives
Reproductives are also known as swarmers or alates.
- Only the king and queen termites can reproduce.
- They can be distinguished from other termites by their size and colour.
- Alates are larger compared to workers and soldiers.
- They are reddish-brown or dark brown.
- A king is a male alate who has finished mating, and it does not grow in size once it becomes the king of the colony.
- With time, the queen termites grow larger than the kings.
- As they grow old, the ovaries of queens continue to grow, which enables them to lay a large number of eggs.
- Kings and queens are responsible for reproduction and are at the centre of the termite life cycle.
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Things To Remember
- Although termites aren’t ants, they are known as wood ants or white ants.
- They are cellulose-eating insects and feed on wood which is rich in cellulose.
- They also consume other things like dead plants, trees, paper, and drywall.
- Their life cycle comprises three stages: egg, nymph or larvae, and adult stage.
- Termites are social insects and live in large colonies.
- They follow a caste system that includes workers, soldiers, and reproductives or alates.
- Reproductive termites can see, while workers and soldiers are completely blind.
Sample Questions
Ques. Which termite class can see and fly? (2 Marks)
Ans. Only the reproductive adult termites can see and fly. The kings and queens have a fully developed vision. Swarmers have wings and can fly. While workers and soldiers are blind and do not possess wings.
Ques. What do termites feed on? (2 Marks)
Ans. Termites feed on substances containing cellulose. Wood comprises about 45% cellulose and, hence, termites are known to mostly feed on wood. But apart from wood, they also eat dead plants, trees, paper, and drywall.
Ques. What is the life expectancy of termites? (2 Marks)
Ans. Workers and soldiers live for 10 to 14 months.
- While reproductives have a higher life expectancy than workers and soldiers.
- Alates live for more than 4 years and queens can even live for more than 25 years.
Ques. What are termite mounds? (3 Marks)
Ans. Certain species of termites known as mound-building termites live in mounds.
- They prepare these mounds from the soil, water, feces, and saliva.
- The mounds have a porous structure that allows for air to enter.
- Worker termites build and maintain these mounds, while the soldier termites protect them.
Ques. To which order do termites belong? (1 Mark)
a. Lepidoptera
b. Blattodea
c. Lice
d. True bugs
Ans. The correct answer is b. Blattodea
Explanation: Termites and cockroaches both belong to the same order of insects which is Blattodea.
Ques. Can termites see? (2 Marks)
Ans. Adult reproductive termites, sometimes known as king or queen termites, have fully developed eyes and are the only members of the termite family with eyesight.
Ques. Can termites fly? (2 Marks)
Ans. Yes, termites can fly. Adult termites have two sets of identically sized wings that allow them to fly. However, not every member of a colony can fly. Among all termites, only reproductive adult termites are capable of flying.
Ques. Do termites live alone or in groups? (2 Marks)
Ans. A termite that lives alone will not survive.
- Their lifestyles revolve around living in colonies that range in size from several thousand to millions.
- The social life of termite colonies, like that of many other insects, includes many responsibilities such as the king and queen, who are in charge of reproduction, as well as worker termites and nymphs.
Ques. Why do termites swarm? (2 Marks)
Ans. Swarming termites emerge at various periods of a colony's life cycle. Swarmers, which resemble flying ants, abandon the existing nest when it becomes too large. This group of adults will go to a new location to start a new colony. When swarmers have completed traveling, they tend to drop their wings, and the presence of these lying about may suggest the presence of a nearby nest.
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