What Is the Size of Termites?
WouterTermites have many different sizes and shapes, depending on the species. They can be as small as an eighth of an inch and as large as a full inch. There are over 40 different species of termites in the US, ranging in size from 0.6 to 1.2 cm.
The most common termite species in the US are subterranean termites. These termites nest underground, combining soil with saliva to form shelter tubes. They are characterized by their pale or yellowish-white bodies and straight antennae.
A subterranean termite colony has three main social castes: workers, alates, and kings. The workers are the largest members of the colony, making up the majority of the colony. They are the first to build a nest. They have a thorax, six legs, and a creamy white body.
The alates are young reproductive castes. Their bodies are more robust than the workers’. They are also harder than the workers’. They have two pairs of wings. The male and female alate shed their wings when they leave the nest.
The king and queen are the central members of the nest. They are larger than the workers and have large egg-producing abdomens. Their wings are a little larger than the body, which makes them appear darker. They are also attracted to lights, so they tend to swarm in the evening.
The termite life cycle begins with an egg that hatches into a larva, which grows in size over several weeks. Then the larva molts into a worker. When the larva is a worker, it sends out a pheromone that attracts other members of the colony. These other members help nurture the larva.
