OPM Termite Practice Exam

Which caste of termites is known for doing most of the work in the colony?

1. Alates

2. Soldiers

3. Nymphs

4. Workers

The correct answer is: Workers

The caste of termites responsible for performing the majority of the work within a colony is the workers. Worker termites undertake a variety of essential tasks that support the colony's survival and development. These tasks include foraging for food, caring for the queen and the young, building and maintaining the nest, and defending the colony against threats. Unlike alates, which are the winged reproductive members of the colony and primarily exist to mate and establish new colonies, workers are integral to the day-to-day operations of their habitat. Soldiers, on the other hand, primarily focus on protecting the colony from predators and do not engage in tasks like foraging or nurturing. Nymphs are essentially immature termites that develop into adults; while they will eventually transition to other castes, they do not contribute significantly to the work until they mature. The distinction in roles among these castes highlights the efficiency of termite societies, where the worker caste is crucial for their overall functioning and success.