How do primary reproductives differ from secondary reproductives in termite colonies?

In termite colonies, primary reproductives serve a distinct role compared to secondary reproductives, particularly when it comes to their behavior and lifecycle. Primary reproductives, which include the king and queen, engage in swarming during the reproductive season. This swarming is a key event in the life cycle of termites, allowing them to disperse and establish new colonies. Once they find a suitable location, they mate and begin the process of forming a new colony.

In contrast, secondary reproductives do not participate in this swarming behavior. Instead, they typically remain within the established colony and their primary function is to support the ongoing reproductive efforts in the colony. They help to ensure the continuity of the colony’s population in case the primary reproductives are lost or if the colony expands.

This fundamental difference in roles—swarming versus remaining stationary within the colony—highlights how primary and secondary reproductives function in the life cycle of termites, making the distinction clear and critical for understanding termite biology.