Page 43 - Adventures through the World of Entomology

DAMPWOOD TERMITE NYMPH MANDIBLES DAMPWOOD TERMITE NYMPH MANDIBLES

These mandibles are These mandibles are
in closed position with The mandibles, in closed position with The mandibles,
bits of shredded wood or jaws, of the bits of shredded wood or jaws, of the
that has just been nymphs of the that has just been nymphs of the
ripped from the sur- dampwood ter- ripped from the sur- dampwood ter-
face upon which the mite colony are face upon which the mite colony are
termite was standing. the tools that do termite was standing. the tools that do
the dirty work. the dirty work.

Photo by Stennett Heaton Photo by Stennett Heaton
Courtesy of UNVAR Courtesy of UNVAR
FOR EXAMPLE — Termite “workers” (nymphs) in the colony use the incisor cusps of their mandibles FOR EXAMPLE — Termite “workers” (nymphs) in the colony use the incisor cusps of their mandibles
to gouge out tunnels in the wood of your customer’s house in order to form a place to live themselves. to gouge out tunnels in the wood of your customer’s house in order to form a place to live themselves.
They chew this wood with their molar cusps before swallowing it. The babies that hatch out of termite They chew this wood with their molar cusps before swallowing it. The babies that hatch out of termite
eggs (1 instar nymphs) do not have strong enough mandibles to gouge the wood themselves nor do they eggs (1 instar nymphs) do not have strong enough mandibles to gouge the wood themselves nor do they
st
st
have the protozoa in their gut to digest the cellulose to starch and sugar so they are fed, mouth to mouth, have the protozoa in their gut to digest the cellulose to starch and sugar so they are fed, mouth to mouth,
already masticated cellulose material (regurgitated material) by the more mature workers. This act of already masticated cellulose material (regurgitated material) by the more mature workers. This act of
feeding by regurgitation is called stomodeal feeding. The first instar termites supplement this diet by feeding by regurgitation is called stomodeal feeding. The first instar termites supplement this diet by
sucking up the drops of liquid from the other end of the workers’ bodies, ingesting the protozoa needed sucking up the drops of liquid from the other end of the workers’ bodies, ingesting the protozoa needed
to break down cellulose to starch and sugar, which they can use as food. The process of feeding from to break down cellulose to starch and sugar, which they can use as food. The process of feeding from
the back end of the worker termite is call proctodeal feeding. Subterranean termite workers also use the back end of the worker termite is call proctodeal feeding. Subterranean termite workers also use
their incisor cusps to pick up small pieces of dirt which are then cemented together to form their “mud their incisor cusps to pick up small pieces of dirt which are then cemented together to form their “mud
tubes.” Termite swarmers (alates), once they have swarmed, use their incisor cusps to dig their way back tubes.” Termite swarmers (alates), once they have swarmed, use their incisor cusps to dig their way back
into the ground (subterranean) or into the wood (drywood) to start a new colony. into the ground (subterranean) or into the wood (drywood) to start a new colony.

PROTOzOA DAMPWOOD TERMITE 1 INSTAR NYMPH PROTOzOA DAMPWOOD TERMITE 1 INSTAR NYMPH
ST
ST

Photo by Stennett Heaton Photo by Stennett Heaton Photo by Stennett Heaton Photo by Stennett Heaton
Courtesy of UNVAR Courtesy of UNVAR Courtesy of UNVAR Courtesy of UNVAR

33 33