Termites, sometimes
incorrectly called "white ants",
are a group of social insects
usually classified at the taxonomic
rank of order Isoptera. (This has
been challenged by recent research,
see taxonomy below.) Termites mostly
feed on dead plant material,
generally in the form of wood, leaf
litter, soil, or animal dung, and
about 10% of the estimated 4,000
species (about 2,600 taxonomically
known) are economically significant
as pests that can cause serious
structural damage to buildings,
crops or plantation forests.
Termites are major derivers,
particularly in the subtropical and
tropical regions, and their
recycling of wood and other plant
matter is of considerable ecological
importance.
As social insects, termites live
in colonies that, at maturity,
number from several hundred to
several million individuals. They
are a prime example of decentralised,
self-organised systems using swarm
intelligence and use this
cooperation to exploit food sources
and environments that could not be
available to any single insect
acting alone. A typical colony
contains nymphs (semi-mature young),
workers, soldiers, and reproductive
individuals of both genders,
sometimes containing several
egg-laying queens.
Because of their wood-eating
habits, termites sometimes do great
damage to buildings and other wooden
structures. Their habit of remaining
concealed often results in their
presence being undetected until the
timbers are severely damaged and
exhibit surface changes. Once
termites have entered a building
they do not limit themselves just to
wood, also damaging paper, cloth,
carpets, and other cellulosic
materials. Often, other soft
materials are damaged and may be
used for construction. Particles
taken from soft plastics, plaster,
rubber and sealants such as silicon
rubber and acrylics are often
employed in construction.
Termites usually avoid exposure
to unfavourable environmental
conditions. They tend to remain
hidden in tunnels in earth and wood.
Where they need to cross an
impervious or unfavourable
substrate, they cover their tracks
with tubing made of faeces, plant
matter, and soil. Sometimes these
shelter tubes will extend for many
meters, such as up the outside of a
tree reaching from the soil to dead
branches. Termite barrier systems
used for protecting buildings aim to
prevent concealed termite access,
thus forcing the termites out into
the open where they must form
clearly visible shelter tubes to
gain entry.
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