Termites – What Order Do Termites Belong to?
Termites are part of the arthropoda phylum, and are an infraorder of the animalia kingdom. Termites are found on all continents, but have been especially successful in moist lowland areas. They are able to survive in damp wood and can destroy homes. They also build large mounds that act as air conditioning systems.
Termites have a hemimetabolous life cycle, meaning they go through incomplete metamorphosis. They begin as an egg. They grow into a nymph, then a larva, then an adult. They also use pheromones to communicate. This communication is usually between the colony members and the queen. They also exchange chemical signals through saliva and sharing food.
Termites have a digestive system that is mainly a bacterium. This bacterium breaks down cellulose and gives termites access to hydrogen. They are also able to digest fungi on decaying plants. In addition, they maintain a garden of specialized fungi. This fungi is fed by termite excrement. Some species of termites also practice fungiculture.
Termites are the cousins of the cockroach family, but they have diverged from their cousins. Recent phylogenetic studies suggest that termites arose from the cockroach lineage.
Termites are generally classified into two types: the pterygota and the insecta orders. The pterygota subclass includes both soil-feeding and grass-eating termites. These termites have a long life span and are usually sterile.
The insecta order includes termites, cockroaches, and mantis. They have over 2,600 species worldwide. They are commonly grouped as dampwood, drywood, and grass-eating.