1. Lesson 2 The Termite Family Learning Levels 4-5

3. The Termite Ohana

4. Termite Family Tree Termite Families are split into three main roles: 1.Working 2.Protection 3.Reproductive These roles are carried out by members of the three termite castes: 1.Workers 2.Soldiers 3.Reproductives The members of each castes have specific jobs in order to fulfill their family role. Each termite family member has special characteristics that help them to carry out these jobs in the best way possible. Let’s take a look….

5. Workers Special Characteristics: Blind Powerful chewing mouthparts Thin exoskeleton- dry out fast in the open air, but great for absorbing water quickly in their underground habitat. Live for up to 4 years Colony Jobs: Care for young Search for food Build and maintain tunnels and nest Construct carton Feed and groom all other caste members Tend to colony deaths

6. Soldier Special Characteristics: Pincher-like mouthparts Hard, brown heads Thin exoskeleton on thorax and abdomen Blind Our (Hawaii) ground termite species has a pore on its head that shoots out a sticky substance after they bite to immobilize their enemy.

7. Soldier Colony Jobs: Defend colony from intruders Guard alates as they leave the colony Alert the colony to danger by banging their heads against the tunnel walls

8. Reproductives: The Queen Special Characteristics: Enlarged abdomen to hold eggs She must be moved, fed and groomed by her children, the workers. Can produce 2000 eggs each day! Lives up to 20 years Colony Jobs: Reproduce: termite babies are called nymphs Determine the number of each caste through the release of special chemical messages called pheromones.

9. Reproductives: The King Special Characteristics: Slightly enlarged abdomen Wing Stubs Colony Jobs: Help Queen make babies (reproduce) West Indian Drywood Termite Queen and King (dark brown)

10. Reproductives: Alates or Winged Termites Special Characteristics: Thicker exoskeleton (prevents drying when flying outside of the colony) Eyesight Wings Colony Jobs: Leave colony to search for a mate Start new colonies Transforms into the royal couple

11. Reproductives: Secondary Reproductives Special Characteristics: Sons and Daughters of the King and Queen Can only reproduce in their birth colony Similar in appearance to workers, with larger abdomen Blind Colony Jobs: Take over for the King and Queen when they are sick or dying Many pairs of secondary reproductives are needed in order to fill the shoes of the original king and queen

12. Which Termite Family Member is it? Now that you are all experts on the termite family, identify each of the family members below and state one fact about each. Bonus: