Higher termite
Higher termites are a diverse group of social insects belonging to the family Termitidae, with over 2,000 species spread across various genera. These termites are primarily found in subtropical and tropical regions and are characterized by their unique digestive abilities, which involve symbiotic relationships with bacteria and fungi. Typically measuring about one inch long and often pale or light brown, higher termites live in large colonies that can number from a few hundred to several million individuals.
Their nests can be quite impressive, ranging from underground structures to towering mounds made of earth, saliva, and waste—some reaching heights of up to 20 feet. Higher termites play a crucial role in their ecosystems by breaking down organic matter, including dead wood and decaying plant material. They also exhibit a caste system, consisting of worker, soldier, and reproductive roles, each with specific responsibilities that support the colony's survival.
Notably, the queen termite can live for over 50 years and is capable of producing up to 30,000 eggs daily. With their long life spans and strategic reproductive methods, higher termites contribute significantly to their environments while remaining a resilient group, with no species currently considered threatened.
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Higher termite
The majority of all termites fall into the family Termitidae. Of the almost 3,000 species of termites, over 2,000 of them are higher termites. These termites are distinct from other families in their digestive abilities and their relationships with various bacteria and fungi.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Isoptera
Family: Termitidae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
There are over 2,000 species of higher termites in 10 genera. They live in a variety of subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Growing to be about one inch (2 1/2 centimeters) long, they are typically pale or light brown and blind. Given the large number of species within this family, higher termites are more diverse in their habitats, feeding habits, and appearances than members of other termite families.
Like other termites, higher termites are highly social insects which live in large, permanent colonies. These colonies range in size from a few hundred to several million members. Depending on the species, nests may be formed in trees, on the ground, or underground. Some ground-nesting higher termites form enormous mounds out of earth, saliva, and waste. These rock-hard mounds, which resemble giant ant hills, are often 10 or 12 feet (three or four meters) high. One mound in Australia was measured at a height of 20 feet (six meters).
Inside these nests, termite colonies construct hundreds of tunnels and chambers. Some species of higher termites, living in the drier regions of Africa and Asia, build special fungus-growing chambers in their nests. These chambers help provide the termites with nutrients when other sources of food are scarce. In these fungus-growing chambers, the termites have what scientists call "fungus-combs" made of termite waste. The fungus breaks down the waste into nutrients which the termites can digest. This type of relationship with fungi is one of the reasons these insects are classified as higher termites.
Other species of higher termites have bacteria within their digestive systems to help process the hard cellulose substance in wood. Lower families of termites do not have bacteria. They have microscopic organisms called protozoa living within their guts. In general, higher termites feed on a variety of organic matter, including dead wood, grass, soil, and humus, or dirt composed of decaying plant and animal matter.
Like other termite families, higher termites are each brought into the world to serve a specific purpose. This system of living is known as a caste system. Each job position within the system is a different caste. In the case of the termites, there are three main castes. These are the workers, the reproductives, and the soldiers. Worker termites care for the queen, raise the young, and find food. Members of the reproductive caste leave the colonies to mate and form new colonies, while members of the soldier caste protect the colony from invasion by centipedes, spiders, or ants.
Each termite colony is led by a king and queen. The queen, whose job it is to reproduce, is the mother of all of the other members of the colony except for her mate. Queen termites may swell to be more than six inches (15 centimeters) long when they are full with eggs. A full-grown queen may produce as many as 30,000 eggs in a single day.
In addition to producing offspring, the queen termite also determines the caste of each of her young. By producing special chemicals which are passed from the queen to her young by worker termites, the queen determines how many workers, reproductives, and soldiers are brought into the colony each day.
Ants, woodpeckers, sparrows, swallows and starlings eat termites. Like other termites, species of higher termites also have extremely long life spans. While worker termites may only live two years, king and queen termites may live to be more than 50 years old. No species of higher termite is considered threatened.
Bibliography
Nendick, Hannah. “Family Termitidae - Higher Termites.” BugGuide.Net, 2013, bugguide.net/node/view/82392. Accessed 8 Apr. 2024.
Ondrizek, Megan. “Study: Termites May Have a Larger Role in Future Ecosystems.” University of Michigan News, 22 Sept. 2022, news.umich.edu/study-termites-may-have-a-larger-role-in-future-ecosystems. Accessed 8 Apr. 2024.