Georgia Correctional Officer (CO) Practice Exam

Do drywood termites have a soldier caste?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only in certain species

4. Only for certain colonies

The correct answer is: No

Drywood termites, unlike many other termite species, do not have a soldier caste. They are characterized by their unique social structure, which primarily revolves around a reproductive pair (the king and queen) and workers. In drywood termite colonies, the workers perform all necessary tasks, including foraging, nest maintenance, and defense, without the need for specialized soldier individuals. This is in contrast to other termite groups, such as dampwood or subterranean termites, where soldiers serve a critical role in colony defense against predators. The absence of soldiers in drywood termites highlights their adaptation to a distinct ecological niche, where they live and feed within the wood they infest, minimizing the exposure to threats from other insects. As a result, the workers take on any defensive behavior that may be required, making the soldier caste unnecessary in their colonies. Understanding this aspect of drywood termites can help in pest management practices, as their structure influences their behavior and vulnerabilities.