What do soldiers and workers in a subterranean termite colony have in common?

In a subterranean termite colony, soldiers and workers share the characteristic of being blind. This trait is common among these castes because they do not have the same light-dependent behaviors and activities that other castes, like the reproductive alates (winged termites), display. Soldiers primarily focus on the defense of the colony, and their lack of sight does not hinder their ability to respond to threats within their environment. Similarly, workers perform various tasks including foraging for food, caring for the nymphs, and maintaining the nest, without reliance on vision.

The other options describe characteristics that do not apply to both soldiers and workers in the same way. For instance, soldiers are not primary reproductives, which are a separate caste responsible for reproduction. Additionally, both workers and soldiers do not have wings, which is a characteristic of the alates, and while workers may contribute to nest maintenance, soldiers do not engage in nest building activities. Therefore, the shared trait of being blind is what connects soldiers and workers in a subterranean termite colony.