Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Home Inspection Practice Exam

A group of winged male and female reproductives that leaves the colony is known as what?

1. Swarm

2. Flock

3. Caste

4. Colony

The correct answer is: Swarm

The term that describes a group of winged male and female reproductives leaving the colony is called a swarm. This event typically occurs during a reproductive phase in the life cycle of certain social insects, such as termites and some types of ants. During a swarm, these winged individuals, or alates, take to the air to find new locations for establishing colonies, playing a crucial role in their reproductive strategy and the dissemination of the species. In contrast, a flock refers to a large group of birds. Caste pertains to the different forms or groups within a colony that have specific roles, such as workers, soldiers, and reproductives, and does not describe the act of leaving. A colony signifies the entire community of insects living together, including various castes, and does not solely refer to the reproductive individuals that swarm. Understanding the correct terminology involved is vital for accurately identifying behaviors and life cycles of wood-destroying organisms.