Termites are insects that have existed since more than 200 million years ago! Their role in the food chain was recycling of wood and other plant matters of ecological importance. Termites are social insects. A family of termites is usually called a "colony". They segment their workforce within a colony. Members of a colony are divided into groups according to the function they perform. These termite groups are reproductive termites that can produce offspring, soldiers and workers. A large termite colony can have hundreds of thousands to millions of termites occupying areas up to tens of thousands of square metres. A very small termite colony may contain less than 10,000 termites within a few square metres.