3 replies to this topic

[mrunmayee]

I tried to keep termite soldiers and workers in an acrylic box with sand and wood. No lid was placed for proper ventilation. Water was sprayed periodically to keep the box moist but still my termites died! I am curious if workers and soldiers can survive without the queen and king??

[SYUTEO]

What's the species? Some termites don't eat wood. And don't let the box get too damp if it's a drywood termite. The wood you gave them might also contain pesticides and parasites that may have killed them. In some termite species the workers can molt into a new king or queen.

[ANTdrew]

Yes, they can.

[Chickalo]

Termites are related to Cockroaches, so unlike ants they molt instead of metamorphose, smaller worker to larger worker instead of larvae to worker.  Eventually, nymphs can turn into supplementary reproductives just in case the Queen or King dies.  In captivity, instead of becoming supplements they will become the King or Queen.  I might be wrong but that's how I remember it haha.  Actually scratch that, I'm most likely wrong, however it's something along those lines.