Supplementary Reproductives act as a replacement for the Queen if she should die. Even if the queen is healthy, they may also produce eggs to help increase the size. Eggs a cared for by workers during a two-week incubation period before passing into the nymph stage. Nymphs mature into one of the four termites castes shown here. After shedding their wings, reproductives pair off, burrow into the soil and begin a new colony.
Workers represent most of the termites in a colony.
Blind and sterile, they forage for the colony's food. Most damage is cause by worker termites. The Queen occupies a 'royal cell' with the king. She may live up to 25 years, laying many thousands of eggs annually. Soldiers with armoured heads and strong jaws, protect the colony from enemies, most commonly ants.