Page 53 - ICSE Science 3 : E-book

Social Insects

Some insects are social and do not live alone. The purpose of living together in

colonies is to get protection from enemies and share food, work and shelter. Insects
such as ants, bees, wasps and termites live with other insects of their kind in large
well-organised colonies. Ants and bees are the most common social insects. They

have their colonies in diverse habitats and are found all over the world. Both ants

and bees live in colonies that consist of at least a queen, few males and several
female workers. Only the queen of their colonies can lay eggs.

Ants live in colonies that may range

from a few ants to a large number of
ants. They dig their anthills or nests

in dirt, sand or fallen logs. Ants can
be seen in and around houses. They

enter the houses in search of food
such as sugar, bread and other food Ants live in colonies

items. Inside the house, they can be found in the kitchens, windowsills and in the
corners of the rooms. Ants are generally spotted near trees and on open grounds

like parks outside the houses.

Honeybees live together in hives. The number of bees in a
colony depends upon seasonal changes while their survival is

based on good food supply. They can grow in natural or tamed
environments. Mostly, honeybees prefer living in orchards,

gardens and any other areas where
Did You Know!
Bees live in Maintenance and growing there are a large number of fl owering
beehives of honeybee colonies in plants. We even see them building
man-made hives by humans their hives under the edges of objects
is called beekeeping or
apiculture. and inside the tree cavities.

Useful Insects

Some insects are very useful to us. They help us in many ways.

• We get honey and beeswax from beehives. Beeswax is used to make diff erent
products like candles, soaps, skin products and crayons.

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