Termites are a group of detritophagous eusocial insects which consume a wide variety of decaying plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, and soil humus. They are distinguished by their moniliform antennae and the soft-bodied and often unpigmented worker caste for which they have been commonly termed “white ants”; however, they are not ants, to which they are only distantly related. About 2,972 extant species are currently described, 2,105 of which are members of the family Termitidae.
Termites comprise the infraorder Isoptera, or alternatively the epifamily Termitoidae, within the order Blattodea (along with cockroaches). Termites were once classified in a separate order from cockroaches, but recent phylogenetic studies indicate that they evolved from cockroaches, as they are deeply nested within the group, and the sister group to wood eating cockroaches of the genus Cryptocercus. Previous estimates suggested the divergence took place during the Jurassic or Triassic. More recent estimates suggest that they have an origin during the Late Jurassic, with the first fossil records in the Early Cretaceous.
Similarly to ants and some bees and wasps from the separate order Hymenoptera, most termites have an analogous “worker” and “soldier” caste system consisting of mostly sterile individuals which are physically and behaviorally distinct. Unlike ants, most colonies begin from sexually mature individuals known as the “king” and “queen” that together form a lifelong monogamous pair. Also unlike ants, which undergo a complete metamorphosis, termites undergo an incomplete metamorphosis that proceeds through egg, nymph, and adult stages. Termite colonies are commonly described as superorganisms due to the collective behaviors of the individuals which form a self-governing entity: the colony itself. Their colonies range in size from a few hundred individuals to enormous societies with several million individuals. Most species are rarely seen, having a cryptic life-history where they remain hidden within the galleries and tunnels of their nests for most of their lives.
Termites’ success as a group has led to them colonizing almost every global landmass, with the highest diversity occurring in the tropics where they are estimated to constitute 10% of the animal biomass, particularly in Africa which has the richest diversity with more than 1000 described species. They are important decomposers of decaying plant matter in the subtropical and tropical regions of the world, and their recycling of wood and plant matter is of considerable ecological importance. Many species are ecosystem engineers capable of altering soil characteristics such as hydrology, decomposition, nutrient cycling, vegetative growth, and consequently surrounding biodiversity through the large mounds constructed by certain species.
Termites have several impacts on humans. They are a delicacy in the diet of some human cultures such as the Makiritare in the Alto Orinoco province of Venezuela, where they are commonly used as a spice. They are also used in traditional medicinal treatments of various diseases and ailments, such as influenza, asthma, bronchitis, etc. Termites are most famous for being structural pests; however, the vast majority of termite species are innocuous, with the regional numbers of economically significant species being: North America, 9; Australia, 16; Indian subcontinent, 26; tropical Africa, 24; Central America and the West Indies, 17. Of known pest species, 28 of the most invasive and structurally damaging belong to the genus Coptotermes. The distribution of most known pest species is expected to increase over time as a consequence of climate change. Increased urbanization and connectivity is also predicted to expand the range of some pest termites.
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Ancient Network Of Massive Termite Mounds In Brazil Are “Biological Wonders”
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34,000-year-old termite mounds in South Africa are still being used
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Huge shout out to the lady behind me at the grocery store who saw I was buying a single can of cat food with nickels, paid for my cat food and slipped me a twenty. She told me to buy myself food, I have groceries and get paid Thursday, what I did need was cigarettes and was planning on looking for butts to reroll on .y way home. This angel made my day
When I have money again, I feel like I should start carrying cash for things like this honestly.
If you can afford it, recommend. Hell even without cash, if you can afford it, her covering my cat food on its own was fantastic. She did offer to buy me food directly but I’m a cook and can take food home from work, I genuinely didn’t need food and that’s the only reason I declined, I think she thought I was being polite or proud. I also do dress in tattered rags cause I’m punk and it looks cool but this means I am often mistaken for homeless, and although I’m not I am working poor and have been there and have no issues at all taking people’s charity if offered. Regardless whether I’ve just been hanging around waiting for a friend near a liquor store and some random buys me a bottle, people buying me food for being near a restaurant (one time a dude got mad at me for being vegan and gave me a ‘beggars can’t be choosers’, I replied ‘I’m a chooser then, I didn’t ask you for a anything let alone beg. You decided on your own to buy me food.’) One time a guy bought me a tool set and told.me where to go for day labor, I had a full time job but re sold the tools and made like $80. These are the funnier stories, sometimes I’ll just be out and about and someone, usually an old lady will chat me up and then give me money or buy me stuff and whether they misunderstand how bad I need it, it makes my life easier. There’s a lady at my local liquor store that buys me a bunch of long underwear and thermal shirts and socks every winter, I can kick em down to people who need em more but a lot of the time it is stuff I should have and wouldn’t have otherwise.
Wow though people sure do interact and be nice a lot, where you are. Kind of impressed, very cool. Guess I gotta be the change I wanna see in the world.
I LOVE talking to random people while out and about and anyone willing to do so is usually cool as hell