Where Do Termites Live in the World?
Termites are a type of insect. They live throughout the world. They are commonly found in wood, dead tree stumps, and soil. They are most common in tropical regions. They have large heads and a ribbed texture. They emit methane gas. They eat decaying plants and fungus. They have a digestive system bacterium that breaks down cellulose in wood. They also have intestinal symbionts that help them digest the wood.
There are over 2,000 species of termites in the world. They have been studied for centuries. Their earliest fossils date back 220 million years. They are found in all parts of the world except Alaska and Antarctica. They are a good source of protein. They are very social insects. They form colonies and send out explorers to find new homes.
During the first year of the colony’s life, the king and queen termites care for the eggs. They perform a mild courtship dance. After the queen is fertilized, she starts laying hundreds or thousands of eggs per day. The number of workers remains constant during the lifetime of the colony. They are primarily responsible for defending the colony.
The king and queen termites swarm in thousands during the summer. They then form their own colony. The female termite produces around 30,000 eggs a day. The worker termites then feed the colony.
The nasutiform termite family is one of the most prolific animals in the animal kingdom. They are a very beneficial part of the desert ecosystem. They build great mounds and are not known to destroy homes.