How Do Termites Go After Food?

Termites are subterranean insects that make their home in decaying wood. They are known to create mud tunnels that are up to 150 meters long. They will chew through wooden structures and even a house to get to their food.

Aside from consuming decaying wood, termites also eat other cellulose-rich materials. They are adept at digesting cardboard, foam, plastic, and other plant matter. They use special asymmetrical mandibles that allow them to rip into the material.

Termites use their protozoa to break down cellulose into simple sugars. Eventually, the resulting humus improves soil.

They also have a gut containing a number of microbes and enzymes that break down the cellulose in the wood. These symbiotic organisms are the key to their ability to extract nutrients from the material.

They are also capable of converting starch into sugar. This is their functional source of energy. In fact, they are the only insects that have this capability.

They have a very efficient digestive system that enables them to break down cellulose. They do this with the aid of special enzymes.

They also have a digestive system that is able to digest fungi and other organic material. In fact, termites will try to break through plastic to reach their food. They will also consume greasy burgers and other food items made of cellulose.

Termites are not toxic, but they do create significant amounts of methane. Using this molecule, they are able to emit a click sound when hitting their nest.

Continue reading:

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