Social life of termites or white ants

Termites are social insects belonging to the class- insecta , order- isoptera.

They live in large colony with organized social structures.

The social life of termites characterized by division of labor, communication and cooperative behaviour.

1. Division of labour : 

 Termites exhibit a remarkable division of labour with different individual performing specific tasks.

A reproductive termites (king and queen) responsible for reproduction and expanding the colony.

Worker are sterile individuals at perform various duties,such as finding food, building and caring for the young and eggs,feed the nymphs,king and queen etc.

The division of labour ensure that efficient functioning and survival of the termite colony.

2. Communication :

(a) Secreting chemical : Termites communicate through chemical signal called pheromones.

Pheromones plays an important role in the colony.

• Each colony develops its own characteristics odour.

•  And intruder is instantly recognized and an  alarm pheromone is secreted that triggers the soldiers to attack.

• If a worker finds a new source of food , it lays a chemical trail for others to follow.

• Size of colony and caste system controlled by pheromone.

(b) Sound and vibration : Sound is other means of communication. The soldiers and workers may bang their heads against the tunnel creating vibrations perceived by others in the colony and serving to mobilize the colony to defend itself.

(c) Dancing : Round dance and wagel dance plays a vital role to coordinating for food.

3. Co operative behaviour : Termites display remarkable co operative behaviour with in the colony.

They work together to contract elaborate nest often made of soil and wood.

Co operative brood care ensure the survival and development of termites larvae.

4. Colony organization : Termites colonies are structured hierarchilly .

The reproductive individuals (king and queen) form the primary reproduction caste . Secondary reproduction may also exist to assit with the reproduction.

Workers and soldiers makeup the non reproduction caste.

Conclusion : Termites have evolved complex social system that enabled them to live in various habitat.The division of labor, communication and co operative behaviour with in termites colony contribute to their success.

 

Life cycle of Termites 

Diagram of termites colony.