Texans See Termite Swarms Year Round
For termite researchers, understanding how termite swarms function and when and where they occur is a necessity. Alates are the adult reproductive termites of the colony and they are responsible for perpetuating the species. Alates must be genetically diverse in order to keep the species healthy, but alates can sometimes reproduce asexually. If too much asexual reproduction occurs, then genetic abnormalities could result. These abnormalities could perpetuate to the point where the species would eventually become extinct. This is why termite alates must limit their asexual reproduction.
Termites are extremely old organisms, as they have been on the planet for hundreds of millions of years. When it comes to subterranean termites, reproductive swarming alates are produced by the colony’s queen just like any other termite colony. However, subterranean termites can also produce secondary and tertiary reproductives that can reproduce without going through the swarming process. These secondary and tertiary reproductive start out as workers or nymphs. Eventually, if more reproduction is needed, the queen’s pheromones can be released in order to prompt workers and nymphs to mature sexually. During their sexual development, these workers and nymphs never grow wings for swarming; instead the reproductive workers and nymphs reproduce asexually within the nest. This asexual reproduction has its advantages for the whole colony, but this reproduction must be limited in order to protect the genetic integrity of future colonies.
The state of Texas sees many termite swarms throughout the year, as there are four different termite families that exist in the state. During late winter and early spring, native subterranean swarms occur. Later on, during the month of May, Formosan subterranean termite swarms commence. During late spring and summer, drywood and dampwood termite swarms begin. Lastly, desert and agricultural termites swarm in the fall. This means that termite swarms in Texas occur nearly year round and with much overlap.
Do you think that nearly every adult Texas resident has spotted at least one termite swarm during their lives?