How do subterranean termites communicate?

Subterranean termites primarily communicate through pheromones, which are chemical substances that they release to convey messages to other termites in their colony. This method of communication is vital for coordinating various activities such as foraging for food, alerting the colony to danger, and signaling reproductive readiness. Pheromones serve as a way for termites to mark trails to food sources, assist in colony organization, and maintain social structure within the group.

While vibrations and sounds can play a role in the communication of some insects, subterranean termites rely heavily on chemical signals. They have the capability to detect these pheromones through their antennae, which are finely tuned to pick up the specific chemicals to which they respond. Communication by sight is not a significant factor for subterranean termites, as they tend to live in dark environments and have limited visual capabilities. Hence, pheromones remain the dominant and most effective means of communication for these insects.