Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Termites are the only hemimetabolous insects that exhibit true social behaviour
Statement II: Both workers and soldiers of termites especially in Macrotermes spp. are sterile
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Hint:

Termites are the only hemimetabolous insects that are eusocial. Unlike social bees and ants (where workers are exclusively female), termite sterile castes include both sterile males and sterile females.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Eusociality (true social behavior) in insects is characterized by three key traits: cooperative care of young, division of labor into reproductive and sterile castes, and overlapping generations.
Social insects belong primarily to two groups: Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps) and Isoptera (termites).
These groups differ significantly in their metamorphosis and the composition of their castes.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement individually:
1. Statement I describes social behavior in hemimetabolous insects.
Hemimetabolous insects undergo gradual metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) without a pupal stage.
All social Hymenoptera are holometabolous, meaning they undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).
Termites (Isoptera) are hemimetabolous and are the only hemimetabolous order that has evolved true eusociality.
Thus, Statement I is correct.
2. Statement II describes termite castes.
A termite colony consists of reproductive castes (king and queen) and sterile castes (workers and soldiers).
In genera like Macrotermes, both the worker and soldier castes are structurally and functionally sterile.
Unlike Hymenopteran colonies, where workers and soldiers are exclusively female, termite workers and soldiers include both sterile males and sterile females.
Thus, Statement II is correct.
Therefore, both statements are correct.

Step 3: Final Answer
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.