swarmer

biology

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July 14, 2026

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In biology, a "swarmer" refers to a member of a swarm. This term is also used to describe a hive of bees that is preparing to swarm. Additionally, it can refer to a swarm spore, which is a type of reproductive cell.1

In some protozoans, like sedentary suctorians, "swarmers" are single, ciliated offspring produced through budding. These swarmers detach, lose their cilia, and develop into mature individuals. Similarly, foraminiferan and radiolarian amoebae produce many flagellated swarmers, also known as zoospores, as part of their multiple fission reproductive process.2

Termites also engage in swarming behavior. Winged adults, called alates, emerge from mature colonies during specific seasons for dispersal and mating flights, which is a crucial step in forming new colonies.3

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protozoan
Mechanisms of asexual reproduction
…produce single ciliated offspring, called swarmers, by a process called budding. Budding can occur endogenously, in which the bud forms within the parent and is ejected when mature, or exogenously, in which the swarmer is formed outside the parent. The swarmers swim away from the parent, settle on a substrate,…
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…produce single ciliated offspring, called swarmers, by a process called budding. Budding can occur endogenously, in which the bud forms within the parent and is ejected when mature, or exogenously, in which the swarmer is formed outside the parent. The swarmers swim away from the parent, settle on a substrate,…
Read More