Isoptera Termite Behavior

Isoptera termites is the name given to termites in the order Isoptera. This was the proper way to identify termites until recently, because termites have now been moved to the order Blattodea, which is the same order cockroaches are in. While Isoptera is no longer the correct order name, the behaviors of termites have stayed the same and are related to the responsibilities given to them by the colony.

  1. Caste System

    • Termites are a social insect that lives in a colony. Because they live in a colony, a caste system is created to define the behaviors and roles of the different types of termites. Termites fall into three different groups: the worker termites, soldier termites and the reproductive caste. Each different group has defined roles and behaviors they must follow to allow the colony to survive. When thriving, termite colonies can support thousands or even hundreds of thousands of members.

    Worker Termites

    • The worker caste is the largest caste and is made up of immature male and female termites. The primary behavior for a termite in the working class is to forage for food. Foraging expeditions will take worker termites long distances away from the main colony, with some termite species going distances of 300 feet away from the colony in search of food. Termites will feed on wood, plant matter, animal dung and certain types of soil, and some species can cause damage to homes, forests and fields. Other behaviors include building tunnels, cleaning the colony and caring for young termites.

    Soldier Termites

    • Soldier termites are larger in size than worker termites, but there are less of them. Soldier termites are also wingless, but they have a large head and powerful jaws. Their behavior is simple; soldier termites do whatever it takes to protect the colony from invaders. Ants and other insects often wander into the colony or try to use it for themselves. Soldier termites depend on worker termites to feed and groom them, or they would be unable to survive.

    Reproductive Caste

    • The reproductive caste includes a king and queen termite. The king and queen termite were the founders of the colony and are the only adult termites present. Their primary behaviors include reproducing, expanding their home and starting new termite colonies. The queen will produce eggs that turn into more soldier and worker termites to expand the existing home, but they will produce "swarmer termites." These termites are young winged termites that reproduce outside of the home base, have their wings fall off, than create a new colony. The king and queen termite also produce chemicals that circulate in their colony. These chemicals prohibit immature termites from maturing and becoming sexually active, which helps to keep all behaviors of other termites in check.