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Termite Lifecycle

Life Cycle of Termites: Eggs, Maturity, Swarming & more

Termites hatch from eggs and can go through several life stages to reach maturity. Each termite egg can develop into any member of the termite caste - worker, soldier or reproductive. To make sure the colony has the right balance of termites fulfilling each role, the king and/or queen termite will produce pheromones to control the development of immature termites.

Termite Larvae, Nymphs, Workers, Soldiers and Reproductives
Eggs hatch into larvae and molt (shed their exoskeletons) to develop into workers, soldiers, primary reproductives and secondary reproductives. A nymph is a young termite that is going through molts to become a reproductive.

Since a termite colony and its needs are continually evolving, each termite's role may change over time. For instance, if the colony needs more workers, a termite nymph may go through a regressive molt to become a pseudergate worker, also called a "false worker."

Sizes of various termites in a colony:
image of soldier, worker, nymph and larvae
Left to right: soldier, worker, nymph, larvae.

Drywood termites do not have a true worker class. The responsibilities of worker termites - caring for eggs, feeding soldiers and reproductives, and maintaining the nest - are handled by nymphs. Even in some subterranean termite colonies, workers and nymphs may share the role of worker.

Termite Growth: Molting
The termite growth process begins with a process called molting. First, a termite develops a soft exoskeleton under its current, hard exoskeleton. Then, once the termite has reached maturity, its outermost skeleton splits open, and the new exoskeleton enlarges and hardens. This molting process continues throughout a termite's life cycle based on the colony's needs.

Termite Life Cycle: Reaching Maturity and Swarming
The termite life cycle also includes swarming. Once reproductives become fully mature termites capable of reproducing, they develop wings and functioning eyes. The bodies of these termites, now called alates, also become harder and darker to help the swarming termites withstand exposure to light and less humid air.

When weather conditions are right, these termites will leave the nest in a swarm. Swarming termites take off to form new colonies.

Baby Termites

After hatching, baby termites are called larvae or immatures. These are nurtured by worker termites until their caste is developed so that they are either a worker or soldier or reproductive. Larvae look similar to workers.

How Long Can Termites Go Without Food?

Most species of termites of economic importance can only live a few days without water and a few weeks without food. These insects burn a lot of energy doing their daily tasks, so they need the replenishment of energy to survive.

How Long Does a Termite Live

Termites can live only a year or two as they are very active and burn much energy. Reproductives such as the king and queen and future queens can live longer as their jobs are to replace the lost workers and soldiers.

King Termites

King termites are male termites which are important in the evolution of a successful termite colony. The king termite stays with the queen or female, to ensure a successful colony.

Reproductive Termites

Reproductive termites are vital for keeping the termite colony viable and successful. With no reproductives, the colony will eventually collapse.

Soldier Termite

Colonies typically have three different termite castes: reproductives , soldiers and workers.The soldier is responsible for defending the nest. Termites use vibrations to alert termite soldiers about invaders.

Termite Eggs

Termite eggs are very small and generally not seen. Drywood termites lay eggs in wood; subterranean termites lay eggs wherever the colony is located. When eggs are laid, they are tended by the workers. Eggs can be moved if necessary.

Termite Larvae Info

When termites hatch, they become termite larvae, or young immatures. As they molt, they can become part of the worker caste, the soldier caste, which protected the colony, or a reproductive which which aids in colony expansion.

Termite Queen

The queen of a subterranean termite colony is produces eggs and rules over the colony. The primary queen is the original queen and is supplemented by secondary reproductives which also produce eggs and may even be more prolific than the primary queen.