Which is the reproductive cast of termite?

There are several different castes in termites capable of reproduction. Not all castes are present in all species. The main reproductive castes are the primary male and female reproductives. These are the only true adults in the colony, with fully developed wings, compound eyes, and body pigmentation.

What are reproductive termites?

Reproductive termites of a colony are first the king and queen of the colony. These are former baby termites or immatures which have moved to the “larva” stage and then become a wingless reproductive to supplement the colony in many subterranean termite species. These are called brachypterous neotenic reproductives.

What is termite castes?

Castes of termites are primarily divided into two types of individuals: fertile (reproductives) and sterile individuals (neuters) (Thorne, 1996; Roisin, 2000). The sterile castes include workers, presoldiers and soldiers, while the fertile ones are alates, primary reproductives and secondary reproductives (Figure 1).

How often do termites reproduce?

The new queen lays her first batch of six to 12 eggs within a few days or weeks of mating, establishing a new termite colony. A mature queen can lay thousands of eggs each year. As the colony increases in size, the queen may allow more reproductives to help produce enough workers to feed the colony.

How long do Reproductive termites live?

Reproductive termites, also known as alates or swarmers, can live to be 4 years old. The reproductive females, the queen termites, live much longer than every other type and have been known to survive for two or more decades under optimal conditions.

Can termites live in human body?

It is unlikely that a termite could pass on a disease to a human because of their non-toxic nature, but they are known to bite and sting if they touch human skin. Generally, these creatures are only a physical danger to other insects and will only attack if handled, starved, or otherwise threatened.

Are termite soldiers male or female?

For example, termites employ both male and female soldiers, while the entire workforce in a beehive is female—a legion of sisters that serve under a busy queen with essentially no input from the few, stingless males.

What are the three castes of termites?

Each colony contains three major castes of adult termites: workers, soldiers, and reproductives (Figure 1). Figure 1. Termite colonies contain three types of castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Winged reproductive termites are known as swarmers.

What kind of reproductive system does a termite have?

Apterous neotenic reproductive or wingless forms or replacement reproductives: If the Queen dies in adverse conditions or of old age, apterous neotenic reproductives are formed. They are typically without wings and have less developed eyes. However, reproductive organs of these forms develop after one or two moults.

How big is the abdomen of a termite?

…abdomen enlarges (a process called physogastry). Physogastric queens in more advanced termite families ( e.g., Termitidae, especially Macrotermes and Odontotermes) may become 11 cm (4.3 inches) long. The queen becomes an “egg-laying machine” and may produce as many as 36,000 eggs a day for many years.

What does a termite queen look like when she lays eggs?

The termite queen looks quite different from the workers or soldiers. In fact, with her expansive stomach full of eggs, she barely resembles an insect at all. Termite queens have a physogastric stomach. This internal membrane expands as she ages and her egg-laying capacity increases.

How is the pheromone secreted by a termite?

Both reproductive and soldier castes secrete a pheromone (chemical signal) that is transmitted through food sharing (trophallaxis) and grooming to other members of the colony and inhibits development of reproductives or soldiers.