In the Formosan subterranean termite, an average of 1% of the workers in a colony molt on a given day. In the absence of soldiers the proportion of worker to worker molt is significantly lower. Foraging areas are not used for molting. After molting the gut is totally devoid of flagellates and spirochetes. Whereas spirochetes are acquired on the 4th day the flagellates appear on the 5th day following molting.