What is one primary function of queen termites?

The primary function of queen termites is to reproduce and maintain the colony. The queen's role is crucial for the survival and growth of the colony as she produces the majority of the eggs, ensuring that the population continues to expand. In some species, a single queen can lay thousands of eggs each day, which contributes to the colony's size and stability.

While other castes within the termite colony have specific duties—such as worker termites foraging for food or soldier termites guarding the colony—the queen's reproductive capabilities are fundamental for the colony's long-term sustainability. Her ability to maintain population levels directly influences the colony's strength and resilience against environmental challenges. The focus on reproduction underscores the importance of the queen's role in the overall hierarchy and functioning of the termite society, with her presence being essential for the colony's continuity.