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The alates of subterranean termites. The winged (or "alate") caste, also referred to as the reproductive caste, are generally the only termites with well-developed eyes, although workers of some harvesting species do have well-developed compound eyes, and, in other species, soldiers with eyes occasionally appear. Termites on the path to becoming alates going through incomplete metamorphosis form a subcaste in certain species of termites, functioning as workers "pseudergates" and also as potential supplementary reproductives. Supplementaries have the ability to replace a dead primary reproductive and, at least in some species, several are recruited once a primary queen is lost. (From Wikipedia)
Shrub-steppe
Spotted on Apr 20, 2010
Submitted on Sep 20, 2012
4 Comments
I just found one of these in my house, should I be concerned? This is the first one I have ever come across.
Nice use of technique Steve Lenz. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. I used a camera mount on my field microscope and had the alates in a test tube.
Awesome shot.