How Large Can Termites Get?
WouterTermites are a type of insect that lives underground. They live in colonies and can be found in most of the United States, except Alaska. They are mostly seen in moist climates. The average size of a colony is about 500,000 insects. They are generally white, brown or black in color.
In addition to eating wood, termites also consume cellulose. This includes cotton, paper, plant litter and roots. A well-established termite colony can grow very quickly. They can live up to 50 to 70 years. The average size of a colony depends on the species.
The king and queen of a colony are the most important members. They control the colony and release chemicals to direct workers. The king and queen are also the ones that reproduce. The queen can lay thousands of eggs a day. She is usually much bigger than the worker termites. They have a normal-sized abdomen and thorax, and they can be about an inch long.
The termite king is the second most important member of the colony. It does not grow as large as the worker, but its wings are lost when it mates with the queen.
The swarmers are produced when the reproductive termites and the queen mate. Swarmers tend to be smaller than alates.
The termite king and queen can grow up to 5/8 of an inch in length. They are light or dark brown in color. Their bodies are generally hard. They are the most common members of a termite colony.
