Alates

For example, alates in certain species emerge during the day in summer while others emerge during the winter. citation The nuptial flight may also begin at dusk, when the alates swarm around areas with lots of lights.

In Africa, the alates are an important factor in the diets of native populations. citation Tribes have different ways of collecting or cultivating insects; sometimes tribes will collect soldiers from several species.

Most of the time, the alates are poor flyers; their technique is to launch themselves in the air and fly in a random direction.sfn Studies show that in comparison to larger termites, smaller termites cannot fly long distances.

The alates fly only for a brief amount of time, so they also rely on their legs.sfn The appearance of the legs is similar in each caste, but the soldiers have larger and heavier legs.

Though harder to acquire, queens are regarded as a delicacy. citation Termite alates are high in nutrition with adequate levels of fat and protein.