If a King and Queen mate to start a new colony, how many eggs will they initially produce?

The initial egg production of a newly mated King and Queen termite is most accurately represented by the range provided in the choice indicating 6 to 24 eggs. After mating, a termite queen does not produce a large number of eggs right away; instead, she lays a small batch to begin the colony. This initial smaller quantity is critical for the establishment of the colony, allowing the queen to focus on the care and nurturing of the first few nymphs, which will then grow to take on various roles in building the colony, including foraging and further reproductive activities.

As the colony matures, the queen’s egg production will significantly increase, often reaching hundreds or even thousands of eggs per day, but that growth depends on the successful establishment and growth of the colony initiated with that first small batch of eggs. This foundational stage is crucial, as it allows the colony to stabilize and prepare for future growth. Understanding the early reproductive behavior of the king and queen is essential in pest control and management strategies.