caste

Classification · Identification · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

No Taxon (Glossary)

No Taxon (C)

No Taxon caste

Identification

caste noun, plural castes - specialized morphological or behavioral form of a eusocial insect. Different castes perform different work within a colony. Examples include reproductives (females called a queen, males called drones in some groups), worker (sterile individual, usually most abundant in a colony), and solider (often called major worker, specialized for colony defense). Caste status is determined throughout an insect's life, and does not change with age. Eggs, larvae, and pupae are life stages, not castes (1). Reproductive individuals are usually winged, at least at the start of their lives, and are called alates.

Images showing examples of different castes in eusocial insects:

See Also

eusocial

queen

drone

alate

worker

soldier

Print References

Gordh, A Dictionary of Entomology, p. 168 (1)

Internet References

North Dakota State University: Social Insects

Works Cited

1.	A Dictionary of Entomology George Gordh, David H. Headrick. 2003. CABI Publishing.

Contributed by Cotinis on 18 May, 2007 - 9:45am
Last updated 4 October, 2007 - 9:41am

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