Do Termites Have Eyes?
WouterThere are two types of termites. One type is the king and queen termites. These termites are the reproductives and live in the colonies.
Termites have a distinct social order and depend on their senses to survive. The workers are the main providers of food to the colony. They also build shelter tubes, and feed the young termites.
They produce vibrational displays to warn others of potential danger. Termites rely on their sensory system to detect odors and to identify sources of food. The king and queen termite are the only ones in the colony with eyes.
During the mating season, they form a swarm. These winged termites are called Alates. During their life cycle, they develop wings, become king and queen, and mate. The wings are shed after mating. They have a tough mission in ensuring the colony’s survival.
To avoid being eaten by the predators, they have specialized mouthparts and head. They also use the head to protect the colony from the enemies. Their mandibles are strong and sharp. They also have large dark heads.
There are several species of termites. Some have no eyes. Some have two eyes. Those with two eyes are called ocelli. They are arranged in a V-shape on the head of the termite. The ocelli are responsible for detecting changes in light intensity.
Besides the eyes, termites have antennae. These antennae are different from those found on ants. Termites also have a unique hearing system. They can hear sound from up to a meter away. This is important because they are active during the night.
