Termitology By Dr. Stuart Mitchell Termitology is the study of termites. Termites produce a termitarium, a place for wood worms, which is a natural or architectural colony of termites. Pest management professionals progressively pursue such study and, as applied biologists, disrupt and mitigate termite colonies and potential damage. A termites gut has evolved for symbiotic micros to succor cellulose sugar metabolism (extracted from wood and other indirect sources). Colonial caste status influences gut distinction. Some soldier caste termites are fed liquids via the worker caste therefore a reduced gut has evolved. Worker caste termites provision for nutrition and construction therefore a higher gut has evolved (forming chambers for various micros). Upon egg emergence, nymphs possess no gut micros as they are acquired from the proctodaeum, by way of the anus, of more mature nymphs. Proctodeal feeding re-inoculates the gut after each molt. In the hindgut of some termite species are both bacteria and protozoans that express cellulase enzymes (breaking down cellulose). Other higher termite species possess only bacteria in a 5-segmented hindgut. Feeding upon fungi, higher termites seem to secrete cellulases. In the hindgut of many termites are spirochetes (spiral-shaped bacteria) that are thought to manufacture amino acids, recycle nitrogen, and protect from pathogens. With a low protein diet, termites obtain these complex natural compounds from the bacterial cells within feces that are conveyed via trophyllaxis, transference of food amongst members of a colony through mouth-to-mouth (stomodeal) or anus-to-mouth (proctodeal) feeding. Protein is digested in the midgut. Wood-consuming termites favor acetogenic bacteria, fermenting glucose (a sugar energy source) to acetate (derived from acetic acid-a component of vinegar). Through hindgut cells, acetate is absorbed via an energy requiring mechanism. An example would be in the hindgut of Reticulitermes flavipes, yellowish wood worm in a lattice, where cellulolytic organisms (able to hydrolyze cellulose) ferment glucose to acetate (see equation below). C6H12O6 + 2 H2O ----> 2 CH3COOH + 2 CO2 + 4H2 Eastern Subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes, employ a colonial-caste system strategy, cryptically entering and consuming the cellulose components of constructions and contents. Architectural assaults are facilitated via larvae or immatures, nymphs, workers, soldiers, winged (alate) primary reproductives, wingless (delate) primary reproductives, and supplementary reproductives. Elusive and soil-inhabiting, Subterranean termites may be more than 40 inches below the soil surface for protection from harsh weather conditions. Articulating earthen tubes reach food sources above the soil grade. A colony reaches maturity within 4 to 5 years with 60,000 to 200,000 industrious workers. Winged females and males (alates) can emerge in nuptial flights. The queen may survive 25 years; placing more than 60,000 eggs. Her workers are creamy-white, soft-bodied, wingless, and blind. Living about 2 years, worker structural food foraging excavates wood, constructs tunnels, and causes copious damage. Armed and dangerous, blind soldiers are equipped with an elongated brownish-head with two jaws whose function is colonial defense. Economicly significant damage takes 3 to 8 years based upon normal feeding activity. Ideal conditions could allow a colony of 60,000 workers to consume a one-foot length of pine 2 x 4 in 118 to 157 days
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 05:56:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015