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False facts about termites

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10 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Connectimyrmex - Posted November 2 2017 - 9:16 AM

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1. Secondary reproductives are common in Reticulitermes nests

FALSE
Secondary reproductives are normally very difficult to find. They hang out with the eggs in a satellite brood nest, with those satellite nests normally being situated under very heavy rocks or in the heartwood of decaying trees. Reproductive nymphs are more common, though. Secondary reproductives have a plate-like covering over their thorax, while the reproductive nymphs have wing buds and (sometimes) darkened eyes.

 

2. Test tubes are bad for founding termites

FALSE

Termites often thrive within a standard test-tube setup, but they will need slight modifications. It is normally a good idea to slide a piece of thin dampened cardboard or paper on the bottom of the tube to provide a place to stand on for the termites. Also, pieces of non-toxic toothpick, paper, coconut fiber, or fallen leaves should be provided to prevent the termites from chewing through the cotton.

 

3. Termites only eat wood

FALSE
Most termites will eat almost anything with cellulose, from tissue paper to heartwood.

 

4. Termites are escape artists

FALSE
Most termites are very thin skinned, which means they dry out when walking in the open. That is why some termites build tubes out of mud to protect themselves. Some termites actually are capable of walking around in the open, but those only include termites like Nasutitermes.

 


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#2 Offline T.C. - Posted November 2 2017 - 11:03 AM

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I wouldn't say this was ever said about termites? Maybe some would say they only eat wood? But the rest... I have never heard anyone say it?


" Whatever You Are, Be a Good One "


#3 Offline Connectimyrmex - Posted November 2 2017 - 11:28 AM

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I've heard plenty of this. It may help a misinformed person on here.


Hawaiiant (Ben)

Keeper of
Miniature Labradoodle
Baby Wolf Spider
Mud Dauber wasp larvae
Ochetellus Glaber
Solenopsis Geminata
Brachymyrmex Obscurior
Cardiocondyla Emeryi
Tetramorium Bicarinatum
Plagiolepis Alluaudi
Anoplolepis Gracilipes
Technomyrmex Difficilis
Pheidole Megacephala
Aholehole fish
Cowrie snail
Sea Fan Worm
100+ sea squirts
Tree seedlings
Ghost Crab
Day Gecko
Small Fat Centipede
Endemic Lacewing larva
Vernal Pool shrimps

#4 Offline T.C. - Posted November 3 2017 - 7:43 AM

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Yeah maybe. Eitherway, still good information.

 

Good job. ;)


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#5 Offline Connectimyrmex - Posted November 3 2017 - 8:22 AM

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Thanks :D


Hawaiiant (Ben)

Keeper of
Miniature Labradoodle
Baby Wolf Spider
Mud Dauber wasp larvae
Ochetellus Glaber
Solenopsis Geminata
Brachymyrmex Obscurior
Cardiocondyla Emeryi
Tetramorium Bicarinatum
Plagiolepis Alluaudi
Anoplolepis Gracilipes
Technomyrmex Difficilis
Pheidole Megacephala
Aholehole fish
Cowrie snail
Sea Fan Worm
100+ sea squirts
Tree seedlings
Ghost Crab
Day Gecko
Small Fat Centipede
Endemic Lacewing larva
Vernal Pool shrimps

#6 Offline LC3 - Posted November 3 2017 - 2:51 PM

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Secondary reproductives of Reticulitermes do have wing buds depending on how they molted although they're usually pretty short and barely noticeable. (i.e brachypterous neotenics). 



#7 Offline Connectimyrmex - Posted November 3 2017 - 3:00 PM

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Secondary reproductives of Reticulitermes do have wing buds depending on how they molted although they're usually pretty short and barely noticeable. (i.e brachypterous neotenics). 

Huh. Maybe they are smaller wing buds? the nymphs I find have longer wing buds, while the secondary reproductives have those plates (and probably tiny wing buds)


Hawaiiant (Ben)

Keeper of
Miniature Labradoodle
Baby Wolf Spider
Mud Dauber wasp larvae
Ochetellus Glaber
Solenopsis Geminata
Brachymyrmex Obscurior
Cardiocondyla Emeryi
Tetramorium Bicarinatum
Plagiolepis Alluaudi
Anoplolepis Gracilipes
Technomyrmex Difficilis
Pheidole Megacephala
Aholehole fish
Cowrie snail
Sea Fan Worm
100+ sea squirts
Tree seedlings
Ghost Crab
Day Gecko
Small Fat Centipede
Endemic Lacewing larva
Vernal Pool shrimps

#8 Offline LC3 - Posted November 3 2017 - 3:59 PM

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Yeah tiny wing buds, they look like spikes. I'm not sure how many different types of neotenics have them though.



#9 Offline Vendayn - Posted November 27 2017 - 12:26 AM

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Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 7:03 PM.


#10 Offline Salmon - Posted November 27 2017 - 4:39 AM

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Termites can escape if you don't pay attention to them. They'll build mud tunnels up the side of a container quickly.



#11 Offline Connectimyrmex - Posted November 27 2017 - 7:58 AM

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Termites can escape if you don't pay attention to them. They'll build mud tunnels up the side of a container quickly.

I mean they can't move a whole colony out of a tube in less than an hour (trust me, my Pseudomyrmex colony did this once)


Hawaiiant (Ben)

Keeper of
Miniature Labradoodle
Baby Wolf Spider
Mud Dauber wasp larvae
Ochetellus Glaber
Solenopsis Geminata
Brachymyrmex Obscurior
Cardiocondyla Emeryi
Tetramorium Bicarinatum
Plagiolepis Alluaudi
Anoplolepis Gracilipes
Technomyrmex Difficilis
Pheidole Megacephala
Aholehole fish
Cowrie snail
Sea Fan Worm
100+ sea squirts
Tree seedlings
Ghost Crab
Day Gecko
Small Fat Centipede
Endemic Lacewing larva
Vernal Pool shrimps





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