Does Termites Have Wings?
WouterTermites have wings, but not all of them. They can only fly for short periods of time. Some of them can fly to mate with other termites, while others just fly to find new colonies.
Termites are made up of three castes, which are called alates, soldier, and worker. These castes are distinguished by their body shape and their roles within the colony. The alates are the only termite caste that has wings. They usually swarm in the spring and form a new colony.
Termites’ wings are translucent or white. They are made up of two pairs of the same size. They are straight or bent. They have a thorax, an abdomen, and two antennae. These are 90 degrees to the rest of the termite’s body.
During their flight, winged termites gather in large numbers to mate. They are attracted to light. After mating, the winged termites will land. They may leave their wings on the surface of the home or windowsill. They are very vulnerable to predators.
Termite colonies can swarm once or twice a year. Typically, this is triggered by rain or high humidity. This activity is a natural part of termite development. It helps the colony grow and spread. Swarming is also known as a “nuptial” flight.
Termite swarmers are poor fliers. They tend to move quickly, which means they only fly for short distances. Swarmers don’t harm people, but they can cause damage to wood. They can survive for several hours without water.
