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Termite


Termite
Photo Information
Copyright: H Ralf Lundgren (bucanas) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 139 W: 1 N: 45] (1013)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-20
Categories: Insects
Exposure: f/9.9, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-23 9:44
Viewed: 1297
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Termite
Macro 1,1 Canon lens


More Termite Facts
Subterannean termites, the most common kind, live in the soil, from just below the surface to as much as 12 feet down. Up to two million termites inhabit a colony. These colonies consist of a network of tunnels and chambers built around a King and Queen whose sole job is to reproduce. In fact, in some of the 55 termite species, queens can lay up to 86,000 eggs a day! Often the queen's swollen body can weigh more than a pencil. The rest of the colony is made up of termites who all play specific roles in keeping the colony healthy. Among these termites are the workers. Worker termites keep busy 24 hours a day digesting wood fibers and other forms of cellulose which they eat, digest and share with the other members of the colony. Workers also clean the royal pair, the King and Queen, and carry away the eggs.
Termites that are going to become queens are fed special chemicals and food by the workers to make sure that they grow up with wings and the ability to mate and to lay eggs. Most of these termites, often called "reproductives", fly off from the nests in large numbers during the wet part of the year. At this stage they all look very similar, whether they are male (kings) or females (queens) and none of them have swollen abdomens. They fly away from the nest to begin a new colony in another place. If they are successful, they meet a mate and dig into the soil. Once there, they begin to form a new colony. It is only when the king and queen are safely together in the nest, that the queen begins to grow and produce the eggs to start a new colony.
There's really no such thing as a standard "termite queen". It is true however, that some termite queens are very large (up to 3-4 inches in length and about an inch in diameter), and some lay a lot of eggs in a very short time. In laboratory experiments some species have been shown to lay an egg a second, and so could theoretically lay over 30 million eggs a year! This sort of termite can lay such a large number of eggs for a number of reasons.
First, because she is able to grow massively in size so that her ovaries fill almost her whole body.

Second, because she is constantly cared for by worker termites, and often has a special chamber (the "queen cell") in the center of the nest where she can sit, which is kept at a constant temperature and humidity and away from danger.

Third, because the queen does nothing else except lay eggs and, in any case, is usually too large and bloated to move. This means that if there is any danger the workers have to move the queen themselves, and this does happen sometimes, when ants attack the queen cell, and the workers try to drag the queen to safety. Queens make a very nutritious meal for ants and, in some parts of the world, humans love to eat them too! Yuck!!!

Worker termites are rarely seen because they stay deep within the colony. But in the spring or fall, "winged reproductives" may be noticed swarming around the outside of the colony. This form of termite can be easily confused with a winged ant. Winged termites are usually only 1/8" or so in length and have straight antennae and no "waistline". Their wings are longer and of equal length. Ants are often several times larger. They have elbowed antennae and three distinct body segments, with very slim waists. Their front wings are much longer than the back ones. Termites break off their wings and ants do not.
Although termites are beneficial insects in nature by breaking down dead wood and returning nutrients to the soil, they cause nearly one billion dollars of damage to structures each year. That's more damage than all fires, storms, and earthquakes combined! Termites don't try to destroy things, they just naturally eat dead wood and happen to be particularly good at it. Most of the time this is a good thing, because it helps to make sure that dead trees don't just end up piling up on top of each other over the years.
mariki, saguzar, jazdzurka, gerbilratz, Silvio2006 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Yes very sharp images indeed, of these minute animals. Congradulations,

Hi Ralf,
Excellent macro of of this insects!
It's so good the close approach, lighting and great details got, specially the big claws.
I found so useful the info on your notes, very complete.
Congratulations and thanks for share.
My best regards,
JM

Hola Ralf,
Muy buen macro! se ve muy nítida la termita de la izquierda con gran nivel de detalles
Saludos
Hernán

Hello Ralf,
You are doing very well again on this shot!
a very fine close up in perfect sharpness, wonderful colour and so much details to view!
the informative notes is very useful
well done
best regards
tony

Hello Ralf,

Very nice sharp picture of these termites. Good composition. Great detail. Beautiful colours.
Very well done,

Cheers,
Mariki

Hi Ralf
Wonderful macro shot. Very good presentation of this group of insects. I like the composition, colours and sharpness of your picture.
Thanks for sharing
Ania

Hello Ralf, these series of termite pictures are exquisite...lovely detailed work and great compositions...TFS

Hi Ralf, splendid couple, great macro of those little termites, sperb details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

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