Learn more about termite evolution and how shedding key genes from their cockroach ancestors helped them build more complex ...

Termites became social powerhouses by stripping away genes tied to competition and independence. This genetic shedding locked in monogamy, boosted cooperation, and paved the way for their ...

Termite kings and queens live in fortress-like colonies that can last for decades, yet their dynasties rest on a single, highly unusual reproductive partnership. Instead of competing mates and ...

A large termite infestation can wreak havoc on a home or outbuilding, and these pests often go unnoticed until they've created visible signs of damage. To prevent catastrophic structural issues and ...

Termites are the descendants of cockroaches, and have undergone significant genetic change to live in vast colonies where ...

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American There’s an anime-style visual ...

Termites did not evolve complex societies by adding new genetic features. Instead, scientists found that they became more ...

The bugs are unique among colony-forming insects in that their queens cannot rule without a king. By Elizabeth Preston While millions of eyes are on the coronation of Charles III this weekend, other ...

Termites are among the most successful animals on Earth, forming vast societies that can number in the millions. But how did such complex social systems evolve from solitary ancestors that looked much ...

Odontotermes obesus is one of the termite species that grows fungi, called Termitomyces, in their mounds. Workers collect dead leaves, wood, and grass to stack them in underground fungus gardens ...

Tracing the emergence of termites back to cockroaches, scientists have found that termites didn’t become more socially complex by gaining new genes, but by losing them. The findings shed new light on ...