How Do Termites Lose Their Wings?
WouterTermites are small insects that primarily live in the ground. They produce billions of dollars of damage each year. They are non-toxic, but they can bite humans. They also can cause damage to wooden structures.
Termites have four wings. They are typically light colored, but they can be black or dark brown. The wings are useful for flying. They are also used for mating.
Termites usually find a mate. The male and female pair will search for a secluded area in which to mate. The pheromones that the male termite carries will attract the female.
A reproductive termite will produce a white pale larvae. This nymph will eventually develop into an adult, which will fly away to form a new colony.
The winged swarm is a termite rite of passage. A swarm occurs when a group of sexually mature adults leave the nest to mate.
The swarm is a visual reminder of the number of termites that are in the vicinity. Often, it is the female that swarms.
The termites can be classified into three groups. The alates are the only termite caste that can actually fly. They swarm to locate a suitable location to establish a new colony.
The female winged reproductive is the king of the newly established colonies. These winged reproductives swarm at dusk in the spring. They will lay eggs.
Termites can lose their wings in the course of a swarm. They may break their wings to symbolize their commitment to the woman they mate with.
