WHICH INSECTS LIVE IN COLONIES?

WASPS, bees, ants and termites live in large social groups, in which individual insects each have their part to play in the success of the whole colony. These colonies are built around a single egg-laying female, called the queen. The colonies often build large and elaborate homes. Bees make structures containing six-sided cells in which eggs and honey can be safely stored. Ants and termites often build huge mounds, with tunnels and galleries inside, to house the colony.

The true social insects—all ants and termites, and some bees and wasps—comprise 75 percent of the world’s insect biomass, according to E.O. Wilson. A colony of social bees can number in the tens of thousands, and hundreds of millions of ants can live together in a supercolony of interconnected nests.

Why have some insects evolved to live in large, cooperative colonies? There’s strength in numbers. Social insects gain several advantages over their solitary cousins. Social insects work together to find food and other resources and to communicate their findings to others in the community. They can mount a vigorous defense of their home and resources when under attack.

Social insects also can outcompete other insects, and even larger animals, for territory and food. They can quickly construct a shelter, and expand it as needed, and they can divide chores in a manner that ensures everything gets done expeditiously.

To give an example, think of termites. All termites are eusocial insects. Within a single termite colony, you will find individuals at various stages of the termite life cycle. Generations of termites overlap, and there is a constant supply of new adults prepared to assume responsibility for the colony’s care. The community cares for its young cooperatively.

Termite communities are divided into three castes. The reproductive caste is comprised of a king and queen. The soldier caste of both males and females is specially adapted for defending the colony. Soldiers are larger than other termites and are sterile. Finally, the worker caste consists of immature males and females that do all chores: feeding, cleaning, construction, and brood care.

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