Termite Life Cycle

When we look at termites, we can see that there are considerably more termites than people on the planet. A termite queen can live up to 25 years and lay up to 30,000 eggs every day. As a result, even a single mound may house millions of people at any given time. Their numbers will vary from study to study, since scientists have now calculated that the biomass of all termites on the planet is at least as large as that of people. Most termites aren’t pests; in fact, the vast majority of the world’s 2,800 known termite species have no desire to eat your home. Only 28 species are known to eat the structure.

The life cycle of a termite

The Egg – Stage one

• The female termite lays her eggs in a jelly-like substance that binds the eggs together after fertilisation. In a single day, a female termite can lay roughly 30,000 eggs. Termite eggs are white and tiny, and they may be seen with the naked eye.
• These eggs are then nurtured for a few weeks before hatching into larvae.

The Nymph – Second Stage

• The exoskeletons of these larvae appear to be pale, whitish, and very little. These nymphs have antennae and six functioning legs when they emerge. 
• The nymph develops by moulting at this stage, skipping instar levels as it matures. 
• The nymph termite sheds its outer skin during moulting because it becomes too tight. The hormonal indications determine which caste the nymph finally becomes.
• The nymph termites get larger and more mature as time passes. Termites in this area go through multiple instars before reaching sexual maturity. Termite species differ in the number of instar stages they have.

Adult – 3rd Stage 

• When termites mature, they form enormous colonies that are divided into classes or castes. Workers, reproductives, and soldier termites all live in the colonies.
• Worker Termites: The majority of immature termite insects mature into worker termites, which are the most numerous termite colonies. 
• They have a yellowish-white to creamy white appearance. Worker termites are larger than nymphs and lack eyes and wings. Workers are the only termites that can feed themselves in a few species.

Soldier termites

• The soldier termite is the second largest colony of termites, behind workers. Soldier termites can defend themselves and are primarily responsible for securing the nest. 
• The mouthparts of soldier termites are built specifically for defence. They have the most unique features in terms of look. 
• Soldier termites are sterile and deafeningly  When they come into contact with an enemy, soldier termites discharge a harmful chemical from their nozzle. 
• Soldier termites are the most active of the termite species.

Reproduction alates: The only termites that can procreate in termite colonies are the king and queen termites. 

• Swarmers are reproductive alates that appear to be golden to dark brown. While some alates are dark brown, others are reddish-brown.
• A king termite is a male alate who has completed his mating cycle. After becoming the king of a colony, a king termite does not grow in size.

Queen Termite: Queen termites grow substantially larger than king termites over time. Queen termites are the former reproductive alates.

• As a queen termite gets older, her ovaries continue to develop. A queen termite can lay a high number of eggs as a result of this. The queen termite’s abdomen swells as she lays her eggs over time.

Conclusion

Termites have been known to live in vast colonies, however, these colonies take time to grow. It can take up to four years for these colonies to form. Termites are wood-consuming insects that are frequently mistaken for ants. Termites, on the other hand, are more closely related to the cockroach family. Termites have been shown to thrive in warm, humid environments. Termites, commonly known as wood bugs, have wreaked havoc on structures and homes throughout the years. Some African termites are considered advanced termites because they spend most of their lives on the earth. Termites are found throughout America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, and there are about 20 different species.