These include the “kings” and “queens” of future colonies. At certain seasons of the year ant and termite colonies produce many such reproductives. The reproductive caste consists of both males and females. All workers are female in the social insect world.Īnother important caste for social insects is the reproductive caste.
Worker termites are the small white insects we see when we break open a piece of decaying wood. Worker ants are those ants we see most often feeding at our tables and foraging outdoors for food for the colony. The worker caste usually makes up the largest part of a social insect colony. Social insect societies are organized according to various castes, groups of physically distinct individuals with unique functions. What are swarmers?Īnts and termites are social insects with highly developed social organizations. But if an ant or termite nest is close enough to a home, swarms may occur indoors. Normally insect swarms occur outdoors on a still, warm day. When insects produce a swarm, also known as a reproductive flight, it is part of the seasonal activity of certain social insects, most importantly termites and ants. When large numbers of winged insects suddenly appear in the home, it may be the result of an insect mating swarm. This ant swarmer is identified by its pinched waist and bumpy stem connecting the thorax and tail (gaster).