21/01/2022
Termites or white ants are not “Ants” at all. They are more resemble to cockroaches and develop from hundred to hundred million years evolutionary history. Termites are small, white tan or black colored insect belong order Isopteran. The Latin word Isopteran means equal wings and refers that front set of wings of reproductive termites is similar in size and shape to hind set. Termites are classified into three types viz. Dry Wood, Damp wood and Subterranean termites.
Subterranean termites are the main culprit, causing major structural timber damage to domestic and commercial buildings in India. Subterranean termites live in underground colonies from where they infiltrate into the buildings through tiny cracks and crevices. A gap of just of 0.5mm. is enough for them to gain entry. Once they gain entry they work quickly and silently, moving in the mud shelter tubes and destroys wood work, furniture, paper products and any article having cellulose base in the search of food.
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Termites are social insects and can form such large nest, colony consisting of very different looking individuals called as termite caste. Each caste having a different role to perform and all interdependent upon each other for survival of the colony. This includes reproductive castes (Queen and King), soldiers, workers and primary reproductive which are called as Swarmer (winged termite) which occur in spring season.
: Queen is physically largest individual and her function is only to lay eggs, sometimes thousand in a day, hence called as egg laying machine. The king and queen live in central chamber called as royal chamber and tended by the workers.
;The main function of the soldiers is to protect the colony from predator and have large, hard and potential jaws.
;This is the damaging caste of termites and the largest in the colony. They are creamy translucent color, soft bodied. They carry out all work in the nest including searching and gathering food, feeding the colony, constructing tunnels, repairing and enlarging colony nest and also caring for the young nymphs until mature. Worker termites are 1/8 to 1/6 inches long, have no wings, are sterile and blind, work 24 hrs. a day.