Georgia Correctional Officer (CO) Practice Exam

How long does it take for a new subterranean termite colony to produce swarmers?

1. 1-2 years

2. 3-4 years

3. 6-7 years

4. 8-10 years

The correct answer is: 6-7 years

The correct answer indicates that it takes about 6-7 years for a new subterranean termite colony to produce swarmers. This timeframe is significant because it highlights the long developmental process of these colonies. Initially, when a colony is established, the primary focus is on growth and the establishment of a strong worker population that can gather food and maintain the nest. Swarmers, specifically, are the reproductive members of the colony, which emerge in swarming events to start new colonies. The production of swarmers requires a mature colony with a balanced population of workers and sufficient resources, which generally takes several years to develop. After the initial setup phase, the colony can then allocate resources and energy toward producing swarmers, and this process reflects the biological and environmental factors that govern termite colony dynamics. In contrast, the other timeframes suggested—1-2 years, 3-4 years, and 8-10 years—do not accurately depict the biological lifecycle of subterranean termite colonies. If swarmers were produced in the shorter timespan, it would suggest a faster maturation rate that does not align with the biological development patterns observed in these insects. Therefore, understanding that 6-7 years is the correct timeframe helps in recognizing the lifecycle and reproductive