In Subterranean Termite Colonies, Older Workers Change the Diapers
By Thomas Chouvenc Well, they don’t exactly change diapers, but when it comes to the latrine and nest sanitation, old termites are in charge. Age polyethism, where workers change tasks […]
Ant and Termite Fossils Indicate Advanced Sociality 100 Million Years Ago
Insects that are “eusocial” live in colonies with closely related nestmates and display social behavior, including a division of labor. The best-known examples are honey bees, termites, and ants. All […]
Some Types of Wood Contain Natural Chemicals that Are Toxic to Termites
By some estimates, termites cause about $40 billion per year in damage globally, and they destroy parts of more than 600,000 homes in the United States alone. The amount of […]
Termite Experts Attempt to Solve Taxonomic Cold Cases
By Richard Levine Coptotermes is one of the most economically destructive genera of termites, and it includes the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus). For years, taxonomists have struggled with a […]