How Old Are Termites?
WouterTermites are social cockroaches. They live in colonies and form swarms. Their habitats are generally warm, moist, and lowlands. They are most prevalent in tropical regions.
There are three main groups of termites. Each has its own life cycle and lifespan. The nymph phase, worker phase, and reproductive phase all play a part in the termite life cycle.
The nymph phase is the earliest stage of the termite life cycle. The nymphs grow into workers, soldiers, and reproductive alates. The workers feed the colony and regulate the temperature of the eggs. The soldier develops into a large mandible that helps the colony survive. The worker also cleans the eggs and provides food for the other termite castes.
The soldier phase lasts about one to two years. The soldier has a modified head region with large, powerful mandibles. These mandibles are very useful in combat. They also secrete toxin that wards off invaders.
The worker phase is the smallest, most immature type of termite. It has small, pale, or absent eyes. It eats cellulose found in woody plants.
The nymph phase is followed by the adult phase. The adult is the darkest in the colony. The mature nest has been built for years. The nymphs will eventually grow wings and become reproductive alates.
During the first few months of a colony’s life, the worker nymphs eat regurgitated food. The larva molts several times until it becomes an adult.
Termites are ranked among the most successful insect pests. They have been studied for centuries. The world has over 2,800 species of termites.
