Termite Eggs
Termites. Probably no other insect in the world that is this small has caused so much damage to humans. Termites are some of the most widely distributed insects in the world. Of the more than 2,000 species of termites, over 55 species live in the U.S. These pests begin life as termite eggs, growing into adult termites who then perform different tasks, depending on which castes they belong to.
The termite life cycle
The life of a termite revolves around the colony nest. Termites are not solitary creatures - they are social insects. They live, work and function as one very big team. The termite colony is usually found underground or if you’re really unlucky, somewhere in your home. Generally, though, while they may forage a house for food, their nest may be about 50 to 100 feet away, underground.
The head of the colony is composed of a king and a queen. These two are the sources of termite eggs. Their job is to produce termite eggs and ensure that the colony thrives. The termite queen lays eggs within a chamber. A termite egg is white, very tiny and looks nearly transparent.
The worker termite, which is genetically programmed to recognize their queen’s progeny, will take these eggs and pile them in a separate area, called the nursery cells. This is where the eggs will be incubated and cared for by the worker termites.
To protect the egg from dryness and infection, worker termites will constantly groom these eggs using their saliva, which contain chemicals that shield the egg’s surface. One queen is capable of producing about 2,000 termite eggs a day, enough to keep the workers busy and ensuring the survival of the colony.
To ensure the safety of the eggs, worker ants guard and tend to these 24 hours a day. The nursery cells are designed in such a way that just enough ventilation is provided to ensure that there is enough heat within to hatch the eggs. Heat may also be sourced from the organic matter that undergoes fermentation within the nursery chambers.
Termite eggs later hatch and grow to become adult termites which have specialized forms and functions. That means that one termite egg has the potential to become a worker, a soldier or a reproductive. How an egg could grow to become one member of a specific caste was once believed to be inherited but later studies say that termite eggs hatch to become a nymph of specialized form depending on the needs of the colony.
During the lifetime of the queen termite, for example, she will secrete a hormone-like substance that inhibits the eggs from becoming reproductive. When the queen and/or the king die, this hormone ceases to be distributed and thus allows other nymphs to develop their own reproductive organs. Now fertile, they can replace the reproductive functions of the former royal pair and continue to produce termite eggs.
The termite egg is the most precious item inside every termite colony. Both worker and soldier termites will protect it at all cost, especially from the destroying invader ants. Egg production may be stopped by destroying the queen, although this is a temporary measure since surviving members of the colony, particularly the nymphs, are still capable of developing reproductive functions. Termiticides can also kill termite eggs and in the absence of worker ants who care for them, these eggs, containing future termites, will wither away.