A study led by the Laboratory Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of the Université libre de Bruxelles shows that the humivorous French Guianan termite Cavitermes tuberosus routinely practice asexual queen succession (parthenogenesis).
Plants & Animals
Jun 2, 2016
0
4
Fighting ants, giant solider termites, and foraging worker ants recently discovered in 100-million-year-old amber provide direct evidence for advanced social behavior in ancient ants and termites—two groups that are immensely ...
Archaeology
Feb 11, 2016
5
225
In Afrikaans, they are called rysmiere, literally "rice ants," although their name is more commonly rendered into English as "white ants." They are not ants, though; they're not even closely related to the ants. In fact, ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 19, 2015
0
38
As animal architects go, the average termite doesn't have many tools at their disposal - just their bodies, soil and saliva. And as guidance, variations in wind speed and direction and daily fluctuations in temperature as ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 2, 2015
0
534
Purdue University research shows that a small amount of nicotinoid pesticide substantially weakens termites' ability to fight off fungal diseases, a finding that could lead to more effective methods of pest control.
Plants & Animals
May 20, 2015
0
25
Other living creatures were involved in agriculture way before humans. Termite species in Africa and Asia have been cultivating fungi for consumption for tens of millions of years. And they do it well as the harvests of a ...
Plants & Animals
Apr 16, 2015
0
24
Two particularly hungry, exotic termite species apparently have found love halfway around the world and, as with so many other Florida hook-ups, the results are disturbing.
Plants & Animals
Mar 25, 2015
2
27
Termites might not top the list of humanity's favorite insects, but new research suggests that their large dirt mounds are crucial to stopping the spread of deserts into semi-arid ecosystems and agricultural lands. The results ...
Plants & Animals
Feb 5, 2015
0
70
Termite soldiers are able to chemically detect intruders in their colonies. While most trespassers are swiftly dealt with, some spiders, centipedes, millipedes, and insects are allowed to find shelter within termite nests. ...
Plants & Animals
Jan 13, 2015
0
6
When they make their way into homes, some species of termites can be destructive pests. Their fungus-harvesting relatives in Africa and Asia, however, are known for their construction prowess, collectively building elaborate ...
General Physics
Nov 25, 2014
0
1
