Download Termites are soft-bodied insects from the order Isoptera, meaning

Termites are soft-bodied insects from the order Isoptera, meaning wings of equal length. The
order lsoptera is also the only insect order to be comprised solely of social insects. As social
insects, termites sub-divide their colonies into separate classes, or castes. These castes play
separate and important roles in the survival of the species.
Because of these social behaviors, termites have been strongly associated with ants and have
even been referred to as "white ants." This could not be farther from the truth. There are several
features that can be used to distinguish ants from termites. Termites are actually believed to be
descendants of early cockroaches. Fossil records have been found of termites as far back as 100
million years. All in all there are approximately 2200 known species living today throughout the
world.
Termites are also the most important insects from an ecological and economic standpoint. Their
main purpose in the environment is to eliminate wood waste such as fallen trees in a forest.
There is no question, however, that termites are of economic importance. Each year termites
cause millions of dollars in damage to structures in the United States alone. Because of this
constant threat to buildings, houses, utility poles, etc., it is essential that proper termite treatment
methods be wed to aid in their control.
Termites have evolved into social insects with a specialized caste system. In most termite
species, this system is comprised of workers, soldiers, and reproductives. The bulk of a termite
colony consists of what we call workers. These workers are responsible for nest construction,
harvesting cellulose for food, and care and feeding of the rest of the colony. Workers are blind
and use chemicals called pheromones to follow each other to food.
Soldier termites are responsible for only one thing, defense. These termites can be identified by
their large heads and mandibles, which extend outward. These mandibles can be used for a
variety of tasks including warning others of danger, audible clicking for communication, flipping
other termites out of harm’s way, or in defense.
The third caste is made up of reproductives. They can be male or female and are most often
thought of as swarmers. Once Alates swarm out of the colony, they will pair up and become the
kings and queens of new colonies. Alates have distinguishable characteristics that can be used to
identify the termite species. Alates, unlike workers and soldiers, have eyes arid wings and axe
usually attracted to light (phototropic.)
Termites like other wood destroying organisms cannot solely digest wood. The cellulose (from
the wood) that is taken into the body is actually broken down by what is referred to as symbiotic
protozoa (an organism!). This protozoa occurs in the gut and intestinal tract of the termite and
frees the carbohydrates and necessary nutrients for the termite to digest. It is believed that
workers feed the primary reproductives and soldiers.