Termities
Termites are social insects which reside in large colonies. There are three casts: the reproductive, the workers, and the soldiers. The winged reproductive termites each have a pair of equally-sized long wings that are attached to the last two thoracic segments. The winged reproductive termites are dark brown to almost black and about 3/8 inch long. The soldiers are wingless with white bodies and rectangular yellow-brown heads which are two times longer than their width.
Order/Family
Isoptera/Rhinotermitidea
Scientific Name
Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar
Biology
Subterranean termite colonies are usually located in the soil, from which the workers build mud tubes to structural wood where they then feed. Subterranean termite colonies are always connected to the soil and/or close to a moisture source.
A mature queen produces 5,000 to 10,000 eggs per year. A termite queen may live for up to 30 years, and workers as long as five years.
