Termite characteristics and behaviour
Termite colonies can consist of a few hundred to a few hundred thousand individuals.
TERMITES, also known as white ants, are not actually ants, however, they are distantly related to ants.
According to nature enthusiast Warren Dick, there are about 2 972 species of termites in the family of Termitidae with over 1 000 species found in Africa.
Also read: Black soldier flies: Protect the species to feed more animals
Termite colonies work similarly to those of bees, where you have a fertile queen and many infertile workers and soldiers. The workers and soldiers are usually built differently with the soldiers having a bigger head, and their bite is painful. Unlike ants, termite nests start from a king and queen who form a lifelong monogamous pair, which we refer to as flying ants.
Soon after meeting up, the king and queen lose their wings and remain flightless for the rest of their lives. A termite colony can consist of a few hundred individuals or a few hundred thousand, and like bees, they all work for the good of the colony.
Termites feed on decaying wood, leaves and sometimes even animal matter. Coptotermes is the genus of termite that causes the most damage to wooden human structures, with around 71 different species found throughout the subtropics. These termites start underground but quickly build roofed passages up wooden structures, consuming the wood underneath as they go.
“We all know of wood borers in Durban that infest all wooden parts of our homes and furniture, but few people know that they are also a species of termite, known as the Drywood Termite.
“Their kings and queens are the small flying ants that come out on warm summer evenings. To deal with this infestation, one has little choice but to consult a professional pest controller,” said Warren.
In some parts of Venezuela, termites are seen as a delicacy and a spice is made from them.
Contact Warren to have some of your interesting insects, snakes or other wildlife identified. Call or WhatsApp him on 072 211 0353 or visit his Facebook page, Warren’s Small World
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