Why Do Termites Lose Their Wings?
WouterA flying termite is one of two castes that can reproduce reproductively. The male and female of this caste will leave the colony to find a new home, mate, and form a new colony.
The flying termite can be a pest to homeowners, but it isn’t harmful. These insects aren’t fast, and they only fly for a short period of time. It’s possible to discover a flying termite on your windowsill, light fixture, or other wooden surfaces.
If you’ve ever seen a flying ant or termite, you may be wondering what they look like. They have two pairs of wings, a straight antenna, and a thin waist.
The wings of a flying termite are translucent burnt orange. They have a dark membrane on their surface that breaks into small beads. The antennae are also broken into segments.
Termite colonies consist of workers, alates, and soldiers. The queen termite is the head of the colony, and she spends most of her life in the nest. She can live up to thirty years.
During mating, the male and female of a flying termite will lose their wings. They will arch their backs to break the wings. This is the only way they can get airborne. If they cannot find a new home, they will die.
There are several species of termites that can fly. They are not all able to do this, however. The wings of these insects are very fragile, so it’s important to watch them carefully.
