How Do Termites Survive in the Desert?
WouterTermites are small insects that live in colonies, primarily underground. Their purpose is to protect soil from aeration and moisture loss, and to provide nutrients for plants. They also help to filter rainfall. Without termites, the desert ecosystem would be devastated.
Termite larvae feed on dead plant material. Their digestive enzymes break down cellulose into sugars, which they absorb readily. The sugars are used for growth. They also produce cellulase, a substance that helps fungi break down cellulose.
When a colony matures, it will have hundreds of thousands of individual members. Each member has a specific role within the colony. Most colonies begin with a pair of reproductive termites. These termites are mated with a queen. They then begin to lay eggs. Once a termite is hatched, it is fed until it is large enough to eat wood.
Some species of desert termites live in overhangs, while others are subterranean. Some species also hang from ceilings and shelves.
Depending on the species, they may swarm in the morning or afternoon. Some will hang around a structure in search of timber. The largest termites are the queens.
Termites are social organisms, and live in a complex social network. They share food, shelter and chemicals with each other. They are able to recognize one another through trophallaxis. This mutual exchange of gut contents allows them to share nutrients, insecticides and other chemicals.
A termite colony can contain thousands of individuals. These individual termites are called alates. They are ready to start a new colony after they’ve alighted from their nest.
