Subterranean termites are found in every state except Alaska. The two major types in Texas are the native subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) and the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus). Both are serious threats to wooden struc-tures.

Apr 8, 2003 · Subterranean termites are social insects that live in societies whose members are mostly immature individuals. Their colonies, which can contain thousands to millions of termites, are formidable, even though each individual termite is soft-bodied and delicate.

Termite colonies are normally founded by a single pair of winged reproductives. They also form through fusing or splitting of existing colonies, or though parthenogenesis.

Subterranean termites have three primary groups or castes – workers, soldiers and the reproductives (king, queen, primary alates (swarmers), alate nymphs, and supplementary reproductives). New colonies are started by the winged alates, also known as swarmers.

Dec 1, 2024 · Termite colonies demonstrate flexibility in allocating their reproductive resources through wing polymorphism: with alates possessing fully developed wings for dispersal to propagate the colony’s genetic material, while adultoids have floppy wings, serving a secondary reproductive to ensure stability and development within the natal colony.

The subterranean termites in the Rhinotermitidae family have the most complex and plastic life style and fascinating reproductive systems. Some of these termites are the most economically and ecologically important species in many parts of the world.

Subterranean termites are social insects that live in colonies within the soil, hence their name “subterranean.” These colonies contain three forms or castes: reproductives, workers (pseudergates) and soldiers.

Some scientists view the termite colony not as a collection of individuals but as a single living entity whose parts (i.e., individual termites) work together towards the survival and reproduction of the whole (i.e., the colony).

May 19, 2021 · These termites live in underground colonies that contain three primary social castes known as workers, soldiers and the royal pair (queen and king). Workers account for 90 to 98 percent of all individuals within an eastern subterranean termite colony, and workers are responsible for gathering food outside of the nest, caring for offspring, and ...

Unlike ants, bees, and wasps, male reproductive termites, known as kings, assist the female in founding the colony and remain inside the colony with the queen to mate repeatedly over time.