2022-08-25

[public] 278K views, 12.3K likes, dislikes audio only

TED-Ed

Take a look inside the conehead termite colony as a queen begins her reign as one of the longest living insects in the animal kingdom.

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A single determined termite braves countless threats to participate in the only flight of her lifetime. She evades the onslaught of predators as she lands, flips off her wings, secretes pheromones, and attracts a mate. But she's not alone. Unlike most termite species, conehead termite colonies can have multiple queens and kings. Barbara L. Thorne details the reign and duties of termite royalty.

Lesson by Barbara L. Thorne, directed by Thomas Johnson Volda.

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