Termites are usually small, measuring between 4 to 15 millimetres (0.16 to 0.59 in) in length.The largest of all extant termites are the queens of the species Macrotermes bellicosus, measuring up to over 10 centimetres (4 in) in length.
Most worker and soldier termites are completely blind as they do not have a pair of eyes.
Caste system of termites
- A — King
- B — Queen
- C — Secondary queen
- D — Tertiary queen
- E — Soldiers
- F — Worker
Worker termites undertake the most labour within the colony, being responsible for foraging, food storage, and brood and nest maintenance.[Workers are tasked with the digestion of cellulose in food and are thus the most likely caste to be found in infested wood.
The soldier caste has anatomical and behavioural specialisations, and their sole purpose is to defend the colony.Many soldiers have large heads with highly modified powerful jaws so enlarged they cannot feed themselves. Instead, like juveniles, they are fed by workers.Fontanelles, simple holes in the forehead that exude defensive secretions.
The reproductive caste of a mature colony includes a fertile female and male, known as the queen and king.The queen of the colony is responsible for egg production for the colony. Unlike in ants, the king mates with her for life. the queen will start producing reproductive winged alates at a certain time of the year, and huge swarms emerge from the colony when nuptial flight begins. These swarms attract a wide variety of predators.
The reproductive caste of a mature colony includes a fertile female and male, known as the queen and king.The queen of the colony is responsible for egg production for the colony. Unlike in ants, the king mates with her for life. the queen will start producing reproductive winged alates.
at a certain time of the year, and huge swarms emerge from the colony when nuptial flight begins. These swarms attract a wide variety of predators.
LIFE CYCLE:
The life cycle of a termite begins with an egg, it goes through a developmental process called incomplete metamorphosis, with egg, nymph and adult stages. Nymphs resemble small adults, and go through a series of moults as they grow. In some species, eggs go through four moulting stages and nymphs go through three.Nymphs first moult into workers, and then some workers go through further moulting and become soldiers or alates; workers become alates only by moulting into alate nymphs.
The development of nymphs into adults can take months; the time period depends on food availability, temperature, and the general population of the colony. Since nymphs are unable to feed themselves, workers must feed them, but workers also take part in the social life of the colony and have certain other tasks to accomplish such as foraging, building or maintaining the nest or tending to the queen. Pheromones regulate the caste system in termite colonies, preventing all but a very few of the termites from becoming fertile queens.
THERE ARE TWO MAJOR TYPES OF TERMITES
1. Subterranean Termites (Soil Born Termites)
2. Non-Subterranean Termites (No any connection with Soil)
1. Subterranean Termites:
Subterranean termites build their nests underground, damaged wood usually has an accumulation of soil or mud within the tunnels of the wood they are eating.
The nest is usually found below ground. Nests may be found above ground, but only when sufficient moisture conditions are available to support the above-ground nest and the colony is old and well established.
Live in colonies underground, from which they build tunnels in search of food (Cellulose); able to reach food above the ground level by building mud tubes; dependent on moisture for survival.
Diet consists of wood and other cellulose material.
Signs Of A Subterranean Termite Infestation
Swarmers (Alates):
A subterranean termite infestation begins when warm temperatures and heavy rainfall trigger an established colony to send out a swarm of winged termites. Swarms consist of winged reproductive males and females. After mating, swarmer termites land and shed their wings, leaving them in piles that resemble fish scales. If there are piles of wings on windowsills of your home/office, check to see if they are all the same size. They could be termite wings especially if they are all the same size.
2. NON-SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES:
A) Dampwood Termites:
Dampwood termites do not typically nest in the soil. They will invade wood that is on the ground, especially if it is decaying.
A pair of winged swarmers starts a colony of dampwood termites. They find a suitable piece of wood and make a chamber in it. They produce a few eggs the first year. Colonies are usually small, but in ideal conditions dampwood termite colonies can become large.
Damage
Damage Wood that dampwood termites have damaged usually looks clean and smooth inside. They often eat across the grain, especially in wood that is decayed.
Frass
The dampwood termites sometimes use their fecal pellets to seal the galleries where they live from the outside air. If the wood is fairly dry, the fecal pellets may fall to the bottom of the gallery. If the wood is very damp, the fecal pellets may stick to the sides of the termite galleries.
Swarmers
Large winged swarmers, winged males and females, are produced for the purpose of mating and starting new colonies. .
Because moisture is critical to these termites, solving moisture problems is an important part of dampwood termite control. Plumbing problems, leaks in roof or siding, wood that is touching the ground and even rainwater drainage are all examples of situations that may need to be addressed.
After the moisture conditions have been corrected, the damaged wood can be replaced. It is sometimes necessary to use treated wood. Termiticide treatment in the wood is necessary.
B) Dampwood Termites:
Create colonies in wood, with no connection to the ground necessary; often found in attic wood; need very little moisture. They feed on Wood and occasionally other cellulose material.
SWARMS
When a drywood termite colony is mature, swarms of winged male and female reproductive insects are produced. These reproductive termites fly out of their colony to create new colonies after mating. Warm temperatures and heavy rains instigate swarms.
FRASS
Drywood termites extract as much water as possible from the feces to conserve it. The result are very distinct fecal pellets called frass. They are a hexagonal and all are a similar size of 1 mm long. The termites kick them out of their tunnel.
Annual inspections are an effective means of preventing major damage to your home.