What is the Life Cycle of a Termite?

Termites are known for having a unique life cycle that results in their development into one of a few different types of termite castes. Termite life is broken down into the following stages:

1. The queen termite lays the eggs she has been producing.
2. Young larvae will hatch from their eggs.
3. A larva will molt up to three times before it reaches maturity and is assigned its designated caste.
4. For the rest of its life, the termite will fulfill the specific duties and various functions set in place according to their caste.

Stages of Termite Life

Every termite life cycle begins when the reproductive caste, also known as alates or swarmers, fly out in warm weather to establish new colonies. Once they’re established, the swarmers will shed their wings and become either the king or queen of their new colony. The queen can lay thousands of eggs, which eventually hatch into larvae. A young nymph termite will molt three times before being assigned as a worker, soldier, or swarmer.

How Long Do Termites Live For?

The lifespan of a termite depends on its caste as well as its species. In general, termites live for the following amounts of time:

• Worker and soldier termites live anywhere from 10 to 14 months.
• Reproductive termites, also known as alates or swarmers, can live to be 4 years old.
• Queen termites live much longer than every other type and have been known to survive for two or more decades under optimal conditions.

How Are Termites Designated into Castes?

For the most part, it’s still somewhat unknown how exactly a termite is designated into one caste or another. Research has suggested that it is likely determined by social and environmental cues based on the needs of the colony at that time. Further investigations have also concluded that the specific caste each termite is assigned isn’t always set in stone; depending on the needs of the colony, some termites may develop into an entirely new caste at any point in its life.