Termites
Termites are known as pests who destroy wood and wood like buildings. Termites have caused easily over 1 billion dollars in damage due to their destroying behaviors. Just like ants prefer, these insects live in nests and colonies to work together and achieve common goals. These colonies contain three types of workers. The reproductive, the workers, and the soldiers. The reproductives are commonly mistaken with flying ants, they have wings and have a black to red tint with a size ranging from 1/4 an inch to 3/8. There are two per colony, a king and a queen, who strictly reproduce and are fed by the workers. The workers are grayish white, lack eyes, and grow to similar sizes of 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. They keep the nest stocked and search for cellulose based foods, which can be taken from wood. Lastly the soldiers lack wings as well and have large yellowish heads with mandible jaws. Their purpose is to protect the colony and keep ants out. [2]
Termites are known as one of the earliest evolving insects dating back to up to 130 million years ago. It is believed that they are a sister group of wood roaches (Cryptocercidae). These species literally walked with the dinosaurs. [1]
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80% of termites are foraging, true working, species, where the other 20% are restricted to the coast, islands, or buildings which are man made. These insects are crucial to tropical ecosystems due to their 95% soil insect biomass and soil recycling capabilities. [1]
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