What do reproductive termites look like?
The reproductive termites, called alates, look quite different from workers or soldiers. Reproductives have one pair of wings of almost equal length, which lie flat against the termite’s back when it’s at rest. Their bodies are darker in color than soldiers or workers, and alates do have functional compound eyes.
What color are reproductive termites?
Subterranean termite alates are day swarmers . After swarming, they drop their wings and look for a nesting site. Swarms usually occur in the morning after a warm rain. Winged reproductives (alates) are coal black to pale yellow-brown, flattened and about 1/4 to 3/8 inch long, with pale or smoke-gray to brown wings.
What is a male termite reproductive called?
Reproductive Termites: The winged (or alate) caste can be referred to as the reproductives. These termites are generally the only caste with well-developed eyes. Females are called Queens. Males can be referred to as Kings (drones in species other than termites). Multiple pairs of reproductives are common.
Are there male termites?
At first, it was hard to believe. “[Much like] gender-equal societies in humans, termite colonies commonly have equal numbers of males and females,” explains Yashiro, a biologist at the University of Sydney. “Both males and females work equally to make the society function.”
How big is a reproductive termite?
about one inch
Reproductive termites are larger than workers, usually measuring about one inch in length, and these are the termites that you are likely to see outside of a nest. They are longer when they have their wings, which they use to fly and find suitable nest locations.
What is a reproductive termite?
Reproductive termites of a colony are first the king and queen of the colony. These two reproductives start the colony by mating after leaving a colony, usually in a “swarm” or nuptial flight for most common species. The couple finds a safe place free from temperature extremes and predators to start a colony.
What do termites look like as babies?
Baby termites start as white/yellow/clear eggs protected inside a nest. From there, the egg hatches into what looks like a miniature termite. These “baby” termites are known as nymphs. Termite nymphs are typically pale white and, if you look closely, you can spot their antennae that point straight out.
Can you see termite eggs?
Subterranean termite eggs are small, white (or brownish), translucent, and oval-shaped–not that you are likely to see them. The eggs that are laid by a queen will be deep in her nest, which may be 4 to 18 inches below the ground. If you uncover eggs, it is likely that your infestation is severe.
Are termite droppings white?
Undigested particles are excreted as fecal pellets. Magnification of drywood termite pellets. Pellets are most often shades of brown, but not always. Drywood termite droppings may appear almost uniformly off-white when the food source is very light colored wood.
What do termites do to humans?
Termites are not known to carry diseases harmful to humans, either. However, people who are living in homes infested by termites may suffer from allergic reactions or even asthma attacks. Heating or ventilation systems can especially contribute to the spread of irritating particles and dust from termite nests.
Can termites make you sick?
You’ll also be happy to know that termites are not known to carry diseases harmful to humans, either. However, if you live outside of the tristate area, there’s a small possibility that termites could make you sick, causing allergic reactions or even asthma attacks if your home is infested.
What do just hatched termites look like?
A: Termites have no pupal stage. It is during this period that most insects develop the body structure of an adult insect. Immature termites, instead, hatch from eggs already looking like tiny baby termites that are pale white to white in color.
What do termite eggs or larvae look like?
Identifying Subterranean Termite Larvae Termite larvae are very small and about the size of the termite eggs. They have soft, white bodies and look like smaller versions of worker termites. This is because the larvae have not fully matured.
What color are fresh termite droppings?
Although it can vary species to species, termite droppings are usually small, light brown to dark-brown pellets that resemble table salt grains or sawdust. However, they can be very dark and even black, depending on what the termites eat.
What is a winged reproductive termite?
Winged termites take flight for the purpose of reproduction and creating new colonies. Flying termites include both male and female termites, and when environmental conditions are right, they will swarm in your home if a colony is present.