Do Termites Have a Queen?
WouterIf you’ve ever seen a termite colony, you’ve probably wondered, “Do termites have a queen?” In fact, many species have multiple queens. They live in satellite nests connected to the main colony.
Most of these queens are female and usually range in length from 0.28 to 0.39 inches. They’re hairless, translucent and appear to be brown or golden. Some species even have visible veins.
Unlike ants, termites do not require periodical mating. Instead, they reproduce constantly, resulting in a continuous supply of eggs. If a queen dies, the entire colony will fall apart.
Reproductive termites are the only termites that are exposed to sunlight. This causes the termites to develop pigmentation and eyes. These termites are called alates. They are also known as swarmers. They lay hundreds of eggs daily.
Termite colonies are a complex system made up of various castes, each specialized in its own job. The queen termite is the heart of the colony. She produces workers and nymphs through the secretion of hormones. Eventually, she lays thousands of eggs a day.
Once the colony is established, the queen termite no longer needs to feed herself. She relies on the worker caste to do this for her. The workers carry the eggs from the nest to the nursery chambers. They also keep the nest free of soil contaminants. They also care for the younger siblings.
Termite colonies can multiply into several hundred thousand workers in five years. They are often found in populated areas, making them more likely to be seen by homeowners.
