Dr Abe V Rotor
Termites are among the most enigmatic creatures. They are also among the oldest, older than the dinosaurs, and virtually have not changed. Thus they are considered living fossils.
What is more amazing is their life cycle and behavior as social insects. To ordinary observers it is a case of "now you see, now you don't." For in most part and time of their lives, they are ensconced in mounds, crevices and tunnels of wood and earth incognito to the busy world.
Here they form colonies in thousands, governed by a royal couple, with the queen tremendously enlarged compared to the king and the castes, the workers and the soldiers. And her task is to lay eggs daily to maintain the colony to as long as twenty years.
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Termite queen is surrounded by workers and soldiers, with the king on top. The king is a bit larger than any member of the castes. Right, winged termites swarm in early spring in
temperate countries, or at the start of the rainy season in the tropics.![]()
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Closeup of the soldier, worker and immature members. Winged termite showing two pairs of wings of the same size and pattern (unlike most winged insects), from which its order Isoptera (same wings) is derived..
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Left, dry termites live entirely on wood with very little moisture. Right,
termitecomb, a complex maze of undigested and digested wood, earth
and fruss (excreta) serves as a complex tunnel and abode of the colony.
Its architectural design keeps the structure ventilated and light, but strong
and firm in shape. In the case of wood, the termitecomb keeps it to appear
undamaged until it finally gives in to stress and gravity.
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Basin full of gamu-gamu.trapped by lamp, a practical method
of gathering gamu-gamu for animal feeds and also as human food.
Photo taken at author's residence in San Vicente (IS) 2017.![]()
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Cuchi Tunnel in Vietnam, a complex underground tunnel of the Vietnamese resistance and Vietcong guerillas extends several kilometers linking major strongholds. It houses underground command centers, dormitories, armories, and hospitals. The Cuchi tunnel owes much of its design from that of the termites. Left, map of the Cuchi Tunnel complex, author waves at wellwishers before exploring the man-made maze. Right, author points to ventilation system of the tunnel appearing as natural termite mound. Team finds great relief upon emerging from the hot, steamy tunnel.
Termites are among the most enigmatic creatures. They are also among the oldest, older than the dinosaurs, and virtually have not changed. Thus they are considered living fossils.
What is more amazing is their life cycle and behavior as social insects. To ordinary observers it is a case of "now you see, now you don't." For in most part and time of their lives, they are ensconced in mounds, crevices and tunnels of wood and earth incognito to the busy world.
Here they form colonies in thousands, governed by a royal couple, with the queen tremendously enlarged compared to the king and the castes, the workers and the soldiers. And her task is to lay eggs daily to maintain the colony to as long as twenty years.
Termite queen is surrounded by workers and soldiers, with the king on top. The king is a bit larger than any member of the castes. Right, winged termites swarm in early spring in
temperate countries, or at the start of the rainy season in the tropics.
Closeup of the soldier, worker and immature members. Winged termite showing two pairs of wings of the same size and pattern (unlike most winged insects), from which its order Isoptera (same wings) is derived..
Left, dry termites live entirely on wood with very little moisture. Right,
termitecomb, a complex maze of undigested and digested wood, earth
and fruss (excreta) serves as a complex tunnel and abode of the colony.
Its architectural design keeps the structure ventilated and light, but strong
and firm in shape. In the case of wood, the termitecomb keeps it to appear
undamaged until it finally gives in to stress and gravity.
How high and massive can a termite mound (punso) get? This one in
Africa.is for the Book of Guinness Right, cross-section of a mound
showing the queen's chamber, chimneys and ramifying tunnels. A
mound grows in size through time and as the colony increases. The
queen may live up to 20 years, and is capable of rebuilding the mound.
In certain societies the queen is dug out and made into a delicacy.
Africa.is for the Book of Guinness Right, cross-section of a mound
showing the queen's chamber, chimneys and ramifying tunnels. A
mound grows in size through time and as the colony increases. The
queen may live up to 20 years, and is capable of rebuilding the mound.
In certain societies the queen is dug out and made into a delicacy.
Basin full of gamu-gamu.trapped by lamp, a practical method
of gathering gamu-gamu for animal feeds and also as human food.
Photo taken at author's residence in San Vicente (IS) 2017.
