Final answer:
Termites lose their wings after mating, this process is called dealation, which marks their transition into reproductive roles within a new colony.
Step-by-step explanation:
After taking flight and finding a mate, the termites lose their wings, search out a place to start a nest, mate, and begin rearing the first group of workers. In the life cycle of termites and other social insects, after the nuptial flight, the winged termites shed their wings. This is because the wings are no longer needed once a suitable habitat has been found to establish a new colony. The lost wings are a sign that the termites have transitioned into their new role as reproductive members of the colony. The wings, attached to the thorax and part of the exoskeleton, are shed by a process known as dealation. After this process, the termites go on to become the king and queen of their new colony, dedicating their lives to reproduction and management of the colony with the help of the worker termites they produce.