How many eggs typically make up the first batch laid by a queen in a new subterranean termite colony?

In a new subterranean termite colony, the first batch laid by a queen typically consists of 6-12 eggs. This initial laying is crucial as it marks the beginning of the colony's life cycle. The queen may produce a relatively small number of eggs initially to ensure that the early members of the colony can focus on survival and the establishment of the colony.

As the colony matures, the queen’s egg production increases significantly, which allows the colony to grow rapidly. Thus, understanding that the initial batch is modest in size helps in learning about the development and growth patterns of these social insects. The specified range of 6-12 eggs reflects the adaptation of termites to efficiently establish their colonies without overwhelming resource demands at the start.