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Physogastrism or physogastry is a characteristic of certain arthropods (mostly insects and mites), where the abdomen is greatly enlarged and membranous. The most common examples are the "queens" of certain species of eusocial insects such as termites, bees and ants, in which the abdomen swells in order to hold enlarged ovaries, thus increasing fecundity.
Macrotermes bellicosus is a species of Macrotermes.The queens are the largest amongst known termites, measuring about 4.2 inches (110 mm) long when physogastric. The workers average 0.14 in (3.6 mm) in length and soldiers are slightly larger.
General anatomy of a worker termite with Imago (reproductive) and soldier visualized; note the reduction and fusion of sclerites on the thorax and more membranous body compared to other Dictyoptera. Mandible descriptive terminology on the bottom right. The fontanelle is absent in basal termites, being found only in Neoisopteran termites.
[1] The queen, a mated female, is monogamous, and will lay her eggs in spurts followed by periods of inactivity. [8] Egg production in termite queens is positively correlated with the size of the queen who then becomes wingless after her Nuptial flight. [2] Termite queens are able to live for decades with the longest recorded length of 28.5 ...
The termites visibly eroded the poles' base and structural strength, causing 53% of infested poles to tilt. [4] Some species of Macrotermes are eaten by humans in Africa. Alates are eaten the most, but workers and soldiers are also eaten and they are available throughout the year, unlike alates.
Reticulitermes flavipes, the eastern subterranean termite, is the most common termite found in North America. [1] These termites are the most economically important wood destroying insects in the United States and are classified as pests . [ 1 ]
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Termitidae is the largest family of termites consisting of 2,105 described species of which are commonly known as the higher termites. [1] They are evolutionarily the most specialised termite group, with their highly compartmentalized hindgut lacking the flagellated protozoans common to "lower termites", which are instead replaced by bacteria and archaea.