The Saga of Termites
- Author Peter Philip
- Published May 25, 2011
- Word count 404
The termites are a group of eusocial insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. sometimes called "white ants", though they are not closely related to true ants. Termites live in colonies that, at maturity, number from several hundred to several million individuals.
Colonies use a self-organised systems of activity guided by swarm intelligence to exploit food sources and environments that could not be available to any single insect acting alone. A typical colony contains nymphs (semi-mature young), workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals of both genders, sometimes containing several egg-laying queens.termites divide labour among gender lines, produce overlapping generations and take care of young collectively.
Worker termites undertake the labors of foraging, food storage, brood and nest maintenance, and some defense duties in certain species. Workers are the main caste in the colony for the digestion of cellulose in food and are the most likely to be found in infested wood.
The soldier caste has anatomical and behavioural specializations, providing strength and armour which are primarily useful against ant attack.termites undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with their freshly hatched young taking the form of tiny termites that grow without significant morphological changes.
Termites are generally grouped according to their feeding behaviour. Thus, the commonly used general groupings are subterranean, soil-feeding, drywood, dampwood, and grass-eating. Termite workers build and maintain nests to house their colony.
These are elaborate structures made using a combination of soil, mud, chewed wood/cellulose, saliva, and faeces. A nest has many functions such as to provide a protected living space and to collect water through condensation. Nests are commonly built underground, in large pieces of timber, inside fallen trees or atop living trees.
Some species build nests above-ground, and they can develop into mounds. Nests are commonly built underground, in large pieces of timber, inside fallen trees or atop living trees. Some species build nests above-ground, and they can develop into mounds.
in tropical savannas the moundsalso known as "anthills" may be very large, with an extreme of 9 metres (30 ft) high . In many cultures, termites are used for food . Ecologically, termites are important in nutrient recycling, habitat creation, soil formation and quality and, particularly the winged reproductives, as food for countless predators.
In addition, scorpions, lizards, snakes, small mammals, and birds live in abandoned or weathered mounds, and aardvarks dig substantial caves and burrows in them, which then become homes for larger animals such as hyenas and mongooses.
Natural Track Safaris is a Kenya based nature Safari Company catering for holidays in Tanzania, family outdoor adventures,budget camping in Tanzania, Kenya and uganda. For more safari information visit http://www.natural-track.com/safaris and http://www.natural-track.com
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The Ford GT: A Legacy Reborn—An Epic of Speed, Ambition, and Timeless Design.
- Thoroughbreds: The High-Stakes Monarchs of the Horse World.
- Cheap Flights to Pattaya: How to Find the Best Deals on the Web
- Arabian: The Desert Treasure.
- The effect of Energy Price Increases on UK Business
- Friesian: The Gothic Knight of Elegance and Power.
- Essential Tips for Engineering Procurement Teams in Australia for Offshore Fabrication in Thailand
- A Family Fun Day at the Dolphinarium Pattaya: Kids Day Out
- Elite Horses: A Testament to Wealth, Power, and Prestige on Four Legs.
- Emerging Trends in Data Annotation Technologies
- The World of Private Jets: A Soaring Exploration of Luxury, Power, and Prestige.
- What Is an Exotic Car? A Luminous Odyssey Through Automotive Exotica.
- Porsche 918 Spyder: A Pinnacle of Hybrid Hypercar Engineering
- BRABUS X Rolls-Royce: When German Tuning Meets British Luxury.
- A Global Tour of Luxury Homes: The Pinnacle of Extravagance.
- Koenigsegg: The Swedish Hypercar Revolution!
- Tips and Trick for a comfortable journey to Thailand
- Korean Cuisine in Pattaya
- Optimize Order Fulfillment in Business Central
- Stainless Steel Cladding: A Modern Solution for Strength and Style
- The Versatility and Benefits of Stainless Steel Cladding
- Define Luxurious: Is it just the same as Luxury?
- Premium car warranty for exotic cars.
- The Power of Lite14 Email Extractor: Revolutionizing Email Marketing in 2025—But How Does It Compare to www.eml.ist?
- Getting to Pattaya, Thailand for the Songkran Celebrations 2025
- What to Look for in a Dog-Friendly Apartment
- Understanding Tinnitus: Causes, Symptoms, and Management
- Pocket Doors with Style: Elevating Your Home with Sandwash Nature Carved Doors from Mogul Interior
- Eco-Friendly Driving In Cities: How Urban Planning And Technology Are Shaping The Future
- Bohemian Farmhouse Luxury: Elevating Interiors with Carved Statement Pieces