Soldier Termite

This formosan subterranean termite soldier measures about 1 2 inch long.

Soldier termite. The soldiers of the neotropical termite family serritermitidae have a defence strategy which involves front gland autothysis with the body rupturing between the head and abdomen. Termite order isoptera any of a group of cellulose eating insects the social system of which shows remarkable parallels with those of ants and bees although it has evolved independently even though termites are not closely related to ants they are sometimes referred to as white ants. The soldier termites the soldier caste is responsible for defending and protecting the colony from enemies which are mainly ants. Soldier termites are defensive specialists.

When soldiers guarding nest entrances are attacked by intruders they engage in autothysis creating a block that denies entry to any attacker. In some species soldiers possess snouts instead of their jaws in which they release a repellent liquid at enemies. Like the eastern subterranean soldiers formosan soldiers have powerful jaws to defend their colonies. That s why they possess protruding jaws and big armored heads that are usually brown red orange or yellow.

Soldier termites are nevertheless an indicator of a termite infestation. As you can see in the subterranean soldier termite picture to the right these termites have an elongated head and large pincers. Formosan termite soldier pictures. The main aim of the soldier termites is protecting their colony from enemies which mostly are ants.

Soldier termites are wingless blind and otherwise soft bodied. Subterranean termites are the most widespread termite species in north america so subterranean termite soldiers are going to be the easiest termite soldiers to find. This type of termite has been created specifically to fight and defend against other insects not humans. The mandibles are a soldier termites primary offensive weapon and are well adapted for fighting.

They do not collect cellulose to feed the colony like worker termites and therefore do not directly damage wooden structures in your home. They have protruding jaws and larger armored heads than the workers which are often a shade of yellow orange brown or red. Formosan termites are an invasive termite species from asia and are not native to the. They can use their large head to block tunnels when the colony is in danger.

In some species soldiers have snouts instead their jaws in which they squirt a repellent liquid at enemies. Though soldier termites possess the ability to bite you it almost never happens. For their small size they are extremely powerful. That s why they possess bulgy jaws and big armored heads that are usually brown red orange or yellow.

The main aim of soldier termites is to protect their colony from enemies which are mostly ants. They can be identified by their yellowish brownish heads and large black mandibles.