Every termite has a job — a reproductive termite, soldier or worker. Primary reproductive termites include the king, queen and swarmer. The king and queen are the colony’s founders and are responsible for increasing its population. When weather conditions are optimal, the queen produces many swarmers, which fly out of the colony to start new ones.
Secondary reproductive termites are the main source of egg production, supporting the queen, once the colony is established.
As the name implies, soldiers defend the colony from invaders, such as ants.
Industrious workers build and repair mud tubes and tunnel walls, feed other termites in the colony, care for eggs, remove mold and mildew from tunnel walls, and remove dead termites from the colony.
As the needs of the colony evolve based on size, growth rate and stability, a termite can hold down more than one job in its lifetime.
Source: termites.com/information/facts
Leave A Comment