What percentage of termites typically die after they swarm?

Termite swarming is a critical phase in their life cycle, typically occurring when they leave their colonies to mate and establish new colonies. During this process, a significant percentage of termites are unable to survive due to various environmental factors, predators, and the challenges associated with finding a suitable location for a new colony. Research indicates that approximately 97% of swarming termites do not survive these challenges.

This high mortality rate can be attributed to the high vulnerability of the swarmers during their flight, the energy expended in the process, and the predation risks they face from birds and other predators. Additionally, environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity can further impact their survival rates. Consequently, while a small percentage may successfully establish new colonies, the overwhelming majority do not make it through the swarming phase, validating the statistic of 97%.