How Long Do Queen Termites Live?
WouterTermites live in the soil and are exposed to a variety of fungi and predators. The king and queen of a colony can live for many years. They produce and lay eggs to maintain the colony and ensure its future. They are responsible for foraging and building a nest.
Termite colonies can be large and have a very expansive territory. Once the primary queen dies, the secondary reproductives will take over egg production. They will begin to mate and a new colony will begin.
The lifespan of a worker varies from a few months to a couple of years. Workers tend to the queen’s larvae, clean the nest and bring food to the queen. A worker can shift back into a nymph if the need arises. In some species, the workers are completely sterile.
The lifespan of a reproductive termite is nearly four years. This type of termite is also known as a swarmer. Swarmers are not very good flyers. Termites may swarm in spring to find mates. They can build colonies quickly.
The number of nymphs that mature to become adults depends on the size and climate of the colony. Some nymphs develop wings and swarm, while others remain nymphal. Some species of nymphs will stay as nymphs for several years. They eventually evolve into secondary and tertiary reproductives.
The lifespan of a king and queen is typically much longer than that of a worker. In some species, the king can live for one to four years.
