The termite queen is the primary reproductive female of a termite colony and is responsible for the survival and maintenance of the size of a termite colony. Because of her enlarged abdomen, she resembles more of a slug or worm than a termite. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about these fascinating termite queens.
What is a Termite Queen?
Before becoming a queen, a female termite begins its adult phase as an alate (a flying termite). At this stage, the termite queen is not yet a queen, but only one of the many swarmers that abandon the colony in search of suitable places to create a new one. Once she and her mate find the perfect spot, they close themselves in this nest where they mate and shed their wings.
Only after this process does she become a queen termite. She and the king will periodically mate to produce workers who will forage for food, swarmers that will start their own colonies, and soldiers who will protect the colony. Throughout months and years, she will gradually expand her abdomen, acquiring this sluggish appearance and becoming practically immobile.
What Does a Queen Termite Look Like?
Termite queens look like slugs or worms. Their appearance can vary according to the species, but they are easily distinguishable by their weird and fascinating features. The largest termite of the colony, the termite queen’s abdomen expands and becomes translucent due to its extensive egg production, reaching approximately the size of a human finger.
These are the key visual characteristics of a termite queen:
- Size: Termite queens are the biggest termites in a colony due to their expanded abdomen. Most termite species in the U.S. have queens that grow to be approximately 1 inch long, but some African species can reach 4 to 6 inches in length.
- Color: Termite queens generally have a similar color to the worker termites of the colony but in a darker tone, ranging from pale yellowish-brown to dark brown. In the case of drywood termite queens, they can have a caramel color, while subterranean termite queens present a pale yellow or brown color.
Regardless of the type of termite, because queens and kings were once swarmers, and thus the only termites of the colony to be exposed to sunlight, they are generally the only members of the colony to have eyes and darker pigmentation. - Body structure: Termite queens have an enlarged abdomen that is filled with eggs, giving them a worm-like appearance.
The Role of a Termite Queen
The role of the termite queen is of utmost importance: She has the biggest (quite literally) responsibility for termite reproduction, giving birth to every single member of the colony. In some termite species, well-established colonies have secondary and tertiary reproductive females that help grow the colony numbers.
Here are the key roles and responsibilities of a queen termite:
- Start a new colony: During mating season, mature male and female flying termites leave their colony in swarms to find the perfect place to create a new colony, where they will nest and mate.
- Establish the termite population: In every species, the termite queen is responsible for establishing the population. She will lay eggs that will hatch into worker and soldier termites, as well as future secondary and tertiary reproductives.
- Maintain the colony’s numbers: Termite queens can live for up to 35 years, continuously mating with the termite king and laying eggs to ensure the colony’s survival.
- Feed the young termites: In the first stages of a colony, the queen feeds the young termites until they are capable of performing their roles within the colony. Once the number of workers increases, they take over the task of caring for the young.
- Determine the development of the other termites: Queens produce pheromones that influence the behavior and development of other termites. These pheromones regulate caste development and inhibit reproduction in most other members of the colony.
As a colony grows, secondary or tertiary reproductives are developed to help the queen with her task. Secondary reproductives develop from nymphs, and tertiary reproductives develop from workers. Most workers, however, remain as workers for the rest of their lives and do not become reproductives.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
Termite queens stay hidden deep inside the colony’s nest, so finding them is rare, but you can still look for signs of termites inside and outside of your home.
Termite colonies are usually located underground in the soil or within wood. Within the home, termites have a particular preference for moist, dark areas such as crawl spaces, basements, or places with water leaks.
Here are some of the most common signs that will help you to identify a termite infestation:
- Mud tubes running up walls or your foundation
- Termite frass (droppings) in corners and near wood
- Termite swarmers, which commonly appear after rain and are attracted to light sources. Flying ants and other bugs that look like termites can be confused for these swarmers. A tell-tale characteristic of termites is their relatively straight abdomen, while ants have a “thin waist.”
- Bubbles or peeling paint on walls
- Holes in wood: Tap the wood, and if it sounds hollow, this may be a sign of termite damage.
An important note: Attempting to disrupt a colony by finding the queen by yourself can lead to further problems. Instead of efficiently getting rid of the termites, you may end up relocating or spreading the infestation even further in your home.
If you suspect a termite infestation in your home or property, it’s best to contact a licensed termite control professional. They have the tools and knowledge to inspect for termites and locate the colony.
What Happens if You Kill a Termite Queen?
Killing a termite queen can have immediate consequences for the colony, weakening it temporarily. The queen’s death can disrupt the colony’s ability to grow and sustain itself, but unfortunately, it does not mean the termite infestation is over. Mainly for two reasons:
- Some termite colonies have secondary or tertiary reproductive females that can take over the queen’s role. However, this process of replacing the original queen takes time, and you may still notice a reduction in termite activity, giving a false impression that the termite problem is over.
- In other cases, termites might also relocate the colony’s nest, which can have the undesired effect of spreading the infestation and furthering the damage to your home.
Killing a termite queen alone, unfortunately, won’t solve your termite problem. Effective termite control often requires the expertise only a pest control pro can provide.
FAQ About Termite Queens
How Long Does a Termite Queen Live?
Termite queens live approximately 10 to 25 years, having the longest lifespan in the colony. Some can live up to an astonishing age of 35 years.
How Many Eggs Does a Termite Queen Lay?
A termite queen in a well-established colony can lay thousands of eggs per day. However, the number depends on the termite species. While some stay around 200-300 eggs per day, there are foreign termite species that can produce up to an impressive 30,000 eggs per day.
Why are Termite Queens so Big?
Termite queens are the largest termite in a colony because, as the pregnant queen matures, her abdomen gradually stretches to accommodate her enlarged ovaries and make room for greater egg production.
This characteristic is called physogastry and is common among other arthropods that have a queen, including a termite’s arch-enemy, the ant. However, unlike ants, termite queens need to mate periodically to produce fertile eggs.
When to Call a Professional
You are not obliged to say, “Long live the queen!” along with the termites in your house. If you notice signs of a termite infestation, take early action, as termite damage can be severe. Pest Gnome connects you to the best termite control pros in your area. Give them a call and say farewell to the termite queen and her subjects.
Main Image Credit: Atelopus / Canva Pro / License
