workers:

The Workers are the largest group in the colony. They are white, immature, wingless termites. Workers are the first termites seen when an infected piece of wood is breached. They are blind and only perceive changes in light intensity. These workers perform most of the labor associated with colony life.

Their tasks include finding food, excavating, building mud tubes, building and repairing shelters. They also feed and groom the soldiers and reproductive, and they take care of the young.

Soldier:

The Soldier termite’s primary function is defense of the colony. They are identified by their elongated yellow- brown head and black mandibles. Soldier termites are wingless, blind and soft bodied. Soldier termites are not capable of feeding themselves, so worker termites provide regurgitated food.

Swarmers/reproductive/alates:

Alates or Swarmers are winged adult termites (potential new Kings & Queens). They have eyes and two pairs of narrow wings which are functional. They are dark brown to a black color this color assists them in tolerating water loss. Alates are sometimes confused with flying ants, but there are distinguishing differences if you know what to look for.

Classes or Castes of Subterranean Termites

There are four (4) classes or categories of subterranean termites: 1. Swarmers/reproducers/alates 2. Secondary reproducers, 3. Soldiers, and 4. workers. Swarmers and solders are used for species identification.

Subterranean Termite Identification

Subterranean workers and soldiers are cream colored and measure approximately 1/4" (6 mm). The primaries are approximately 1/3" to 1/2" (9-10mm) with dark chestnut to black bodies. They're translucent wings are grayish when viewed on white paper. The full growth "brachypterous" supplementaries (the ones with wing pads) often are larger than any other cast in the colony.