Like most other insects, termites start out as eggs and progress through stages as a nymph and lastly an adult. This is an example of progressive metamorphosis where the young insect resembles the adult. Termites are special because they can turn into numerous forms of reproductive and non-reproductive adults. An understanding of the life cycle of termites can aid in their elimination and prevention.
Termite Swarmers
These winged reproductive termites (alates) are born dark in color and with 2 pairs of wings. In the spring, these termites leave their colonies at maturity and take flight searching for a mate to replicate. Swarmers can frequently be seen swarming, and this is the time they might emerge inside homes and buildings. Once they have actually mated, they arrive at the ground, shed their wings, and discover a place to start a brand-new colony either underground or above ground.
Termite Kings and Queens
The swarmers become kings (males) or queens (reproductive females) over their recently established colony. The fertilized queen lays eggs, which can be as many as a dozen. After a couple of weeks, the eggs hatch into larvae that are pale and white. The larvae molt (shed skin) 3 times growing into a young nymph, older nymph, and finally among 3 castes (types): workers, soldiers, and swarmers. Queens are known to live for as long as a years and can reproduce throughout their lifetime.
Termite Workers
Workers do just as their name suggests, they work. They are the termites in the colony who are accountable for constructing tunnels and chambers, along with feeding and grooming other termites. If the colony experiences a shortage of other caste types (e.g., soldiers or reproductives), workers can turn into what’s needed. Workers live for around one to 2 years. This caste member is the one who does all of the damage; therefore, they are the most crucial ones to get rid of to stop infestations.
Termite Soldiers
Soldiers, as it’s simple to think, are accountable for safeguarding the colony. They can be differentiated from the other caste members by their yellow-brown color. They likewise have a very large head and mandibles utilized to eliminate off predators. Due to the fact that they can’t feed themselves due to the plus size of their mandibles, they depend on worker termites. Like workers, they usually live for one to two years but can become a worker or reproductive as the colony requires.
Termites can exist in a number of forms. While puzzling, it pays to know a little about their life cycle. Some insects are best gotten rid of by discovering their eggs. With termites, it’s best to discover and eliminate workers since they do the majority of the damage.