Theory question 104
BehaviourA group of insects living together have each member performing different tasks in the community.
(a) Give a term to describe the group of insects with the kind of behaviour.
(b) Complete the table below
Table columns: Four likely members of the insect community | One role of the member | One structure for performing the role
(c) Give two likely examples of the group of insects.
(d) State: (i) three advantages of the type of behaviour named in 4(a) to the community. (ii) two methods of communication among the group of insects with the behaviour named in 4(a).
Show the model answer
(a) Social insects (social behaviour / division of labour in a caste system).
(b) For termites, four of: Queen - lays eggs - very large abdomen/ovaries; King - fertilises the queen - testes/reproductive organs; Workers - build the nest, find food, feed others - strong biting mandibles; Soldiers - defend the colony - large head with powerful mandibles (or nozzle). (For bees: queen - lays eggs - ovaries; drone - mates with queen - reproductive organs; worker - collects nectar and pollen - proboscis and pollen basket; worker as guard - stings - sting.)
(c) Any two: termites; honeybees; ants; wasps.
(d)(i) Any three: division of labour makes work efficient; better defence against enemies; better food gathering and storage; care of the young; building of protective nests; continuity of the colony.
(ii) Any two: chemicals (pheromones); touch/antennae contact; dancing (in bees); sounds/vibrations (head banging in termites).
Each member in (b) needs its role and the body part used for it.