Why are Termites Called the Silent Destroyers ?

Termites mound (BERMI)

Termites are social insects and most live in colonies which can be extremely large consisting of millions of members. Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” There are about 300 different species of termites in India and they can be found almost everywhere in the world.

They are very social insects and live in colonies consisting of a queen, workers, and soldiers. Termites considered being the most beneficial insect group in natural ecosystem they are also known is agro ecological engineers.

The termite’s body is made up of three parts – the head, trunk and thorax. Each termite has six legs that are attached to the trunk. The termites also include the antennae, eyes, mandible, legs, petiole, and gaster.

Termits Swarming

The new research suggested that comparison of ants and termites is all wrong. The current report state that termites may look like ants, but they are actually ancestor of cockroaches. Termites are detritus feeders. They feed on dead plants and trees. Termites get nutrients from cellulose, an organic fiber found in wood and plant matter. Termites act as decomposers by feeding on organic waste, wood, insects or other dead animals. They help keep the environment clean.  Termites are important in nature's food chain: termites are good food for spiny ant eater, lizards, birds, insects, spiders etc. termites do a great job in creating healthy soil by tunnel digging and turns over tremendous amounts of dirt, bringing nutrients like NPK closer to the surface, and making it possible for rainwater to completely hydrate the soil. 

Despite their tiny size, they have made themselves an extremely dominant and effective insect species of the earth.Termite’s life cycle can have three different types of termites or cast: Reproductive, worker and solders. The majority of termites are wingless. However, at certain times of the year, swarms of flying termites become a common sight. Flying termites swarms usually happen in large numbers to ensure the survival of the species. These winged termites often are called alates (flying termites).Swarming is triggered by temperature and often occurs after summer rain. In the insect world, this is often referred to as nuptial flight and is the most important phase of the reproductive cycle of termites. 

During the termites swarm, many of the termites won’t survive past the day birds, foxes, lizards etc are preying on these termites during this time.Kings and queen termites swarm in the summers I large groups of thousands in search of a mate. After mating the mates then start their own colony. The queen can lay hundred to thousand of eggs a day in first year. Then eggs are hatched into larvae. The young termites become worker or soldiers depending on the temperature. Worker and soldiers can be male or female but both are sterile.

Workers are sterile, wingless and blind. They can be male or female but do not reproduce. The main job is to care for the colony members (eggs, larvae, reproductive soldiers, king and queen). They will clean the colony feed the colony and help in regulate the temperature of the eggs and nymphs.

Soldier termites have powerful mandibles help in defending the colony. These soldiers are unable to feed themselves and are feed by workers.

Reproductive adults are very few in number and only 8 to 10 mate are in a one colony. These adult are the alate termites and swarm to find mates. There is only one queen in the colony, but in some large colonies can have two or more queens are the only reproductive member of the colony.

Termites are the ultimate soil engineers. Many termite species use clay to build foraging galleries and mound-nests or BERMI (in Dogri). Mounds are in well-drained areas. It is an extensive system of tunnels that serves as a ventilation system. The mound is constructed out of a mixture of soil, termite saliva and dung. Although the mound appears solid, the structure is incredibly porous. Its walls are filled with tiny holes that allow outside air to enter and permeate the entire structure. The top of the mound consists of a central chimney surrounded by an intricate network of tunnels and passages. Help in the exchange of air and maintain temperature inside the nest. At the base of the mound are several openings that the termites use to enter and exit. When temperatures are cooler at night Termites make forays out to collect food.

It is hard to believe that people of Jammu Worshipped Termite Mounds (BERMI ) as the home of  Nag Devata or God of snakes and converted it into a temple. Both mound and snakes are the symbols of fertility.In one sacred Indian Text, Perumpanarruppatai, mentions how termite activity makes soil better suited for farming and its religion value. It is quite common to find snakes living in old termite mound because Most snakes do not make their own burrows, but inhabit the burrows made by other creatures but this is yet another case where I, am co-opted existing religious belief.