Termites Characteristics

Historially, it is fact that the termites fall in the category of the most primitive group of winged insects laying their eggs on land. Many of the scientific researches reveal that termites are closely related to cockroaches. The most primitive cockroaches namely the wingless wood cockroaches from North America closely resemble termites. In the same way , the most primitive termites look and act like cockroaches. However, there are also differences in body plan and wing structure. Although it is very likely that termites and cockroaches had a common group of parents yet they got their own groups a very long time ago.

Termites have a caste system, i.e. each member of a group has a different responsibility within the group. Also every "caste" is characterized differently from another by its overall body structure. The most common castes are usually workers, soldiers, kings and queens. Only the kings and queens are able to reproduce.

Termite workers and soldiers are not able to reproduce. Termites are usually pale and soft-bodied. They are having small antennae. The workers and soldiers might be either male or female. Worker termites keep strong jaws for chewing wood or other eating stuff. Depending on the species, soldiers may have huge heads with sharp, power jaws or smaller, pointed heads. They tend to be taller and have thick bodies than the workers.

So far as wings are concerned, only the insects that are able to reproduce i.e. lay eggs have wings. The wings are the same size. Termites usually keep their wings rest over the body when resting. Queens often have bloated, sausage-shaped abdomens. Queens range in length from 2 to 4 inches. While Larvae or young termites, look like the adults.

Important facts about termites.
Size: male and female reproductives grow to 1/2-inch long. Soldiers measure 3/8-inch in length.
Color: Usually pale brown.

Drywood termites keep soft bodies and are cylindrical in shape. They have six legs, compound eyes and chewing mandibles.