Where Do Termites With Wings Come From?
Termites are insects that live and work in the soil and wood. They build mud tubes that allow them to climb walls and get to the wood. They eat cellulose, which gives the wood its strength.
Termite colonies are made up of three castes. The first are the worker termites. These are the smallest. They do not have wings, and have antennae that are straight. They do most of the colony’s labor. They also maintain the colony.
Aside from the worker termites, there are two other castes: the soldier termites and the reproductive termites. The reproductive termites are the only ones that venture out of the colony. They mate and leave to form new colonies. These are the only types of termites that have wings.
The soldier termites are smaller than the reproductives. They have powerful pincers near their head for nest defense. They can live for up to a decade if the climate is suitable. They are brownish in color. They are about 3/8 inch long.
The reproductive termites swarm out of the colony in the spring or summer. They are attracted to light. They will leave the dark colony to find a light source. They will mate, and they will then drop their wings.
These termites are not very good fliers. They are most often seen around light fixtures and windows. Termite colonies have mud tubes to provide a safe passage between the nest and a food source.