Page 116 - Design in Nature

CHAPTER 5

The Termite Colony

and Its Chemical

Defensive Systems

ermites are small, ant-like creatures that live in crowded colonies.
They build surprising nests that tower above the ground, which are
T in themselves wonders of architecture. What's even more
interesting is the fact that the builders of such grandiose towers, the worker
termites, are totally blind.

The structure of the termite nest demonstrates extraordinarily complex
systems. There are special soldier units in the termite colonies that are
responsible for defence. Soldier termites are equipped with wonderful
artillery. While some are warriors, some
are patrolling termites and yet others are
"suicide commandos". From the
incubation of the queen to the
construction of tunnels and walls or the
harvesting of the cultivated

mushrooms, every affair inside a termite The queen termite becomes extremely
immobile as her body reaches 3.5 inches (9
nest depends on the performance in centimetres) in length. Therefore, a special
defence of the soldiers. crew is responsible for her feeding, cleaning
and safeguarding.
The survival of the colony is