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Termite Information for Kids

Termites are related to cockroaches, but live in social communities similar to those maintained by ants and bees. Termites belong to the family Isoptera. There are over 2600 species of termites living on every continent except Antartica. Although termites help to break down dead wood found in nature, these insects can become a nuisance to homeowners.
  1. The Colony

    • Colonies use a caste system of organization, with each termite serving a specific function within the colony. The queen and king are the only members of the colony that reproduce. Worker termites assist in feeding, constructing tunnels within the colony and caring for the queen's eggs. Soldier termites have developed large jaws, specifically used to defend the colony from potential invasions. Ablates, or reproductive termites, will eventually leave a colony to create new colonies.

    Identification

    • Termites have a broad waist, antenna and mouth parts that assist in chewing wood. The queen can grow quite large, which helps to accommodate laying thousands of eggs in a day. The king is usually smaller than the queen. Alates have wings, which they lose after mating. Alates can create huge swarms prior to establishing new colonies. Soldier and worker termites have a pale colored body, with darker colored head. Workers are smaller than soldiers. Soldiers possess a bulbous head and larger mandibles for fighting.

    Habitat

    • Termites can construct impressive mounds.

      Different species of termites thrive in different environments. Subterranean termites need soil rich in moisture to help establish tunnels. These tunnels will often lead to outside food sources. Drywood termites tend to inhabit orchard trees and homes. Termites can build colonies beneath ground or create mounds above ground. Underground colonies can have complex tunneling systems that help to regulate the temperature inside. Mound building termites can construct mounds that reach nearly 25 feet in height.

    Diet and Communication

    • Termites eat wood, but they can't digest it. Instead, they function on cellulose, an ingredient found in wood fibers. Termites have bacteria and protozoa within their intestines to help process cellulose. Termites secrete pheromones, or scents, to communicate with each other. For example, soldier termites can secrete pheromones to signal when their colony is under attack and need more soldiers to come to the defense. Pheromones can also help termites navigate through tunnels within the colony.

    Interesting Facts

    • Soldier termites of some species, such as the nasutitermitinae, lack the large mandibles used for fighting. Instead, nasutitermitinae soldiers have a horn-like nose on their head. When threatened, the soldiers will protect their colony by shooting a chemical from their nose. Like cows and humans, termites produce methane gas through biological processes. Termites are the second largest natural producers of methane gas.


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