What Are Termites Noted For Eating?
WouterTermites are a common wood-destroying insect found worldwide. They live in damp conditions and rely on water and moist wood to survive. Various species of termites are commonly found in trees, soil, or in wooden structures. The number of species is unknown, but researchers believe there are hundreds.
One of the things that termites eat is cellulose, a polysaccharide found in many things. Termites have a special biome in their guts that breaks down cellulose into energy.
Termites consume materials with lots of cellulose, such as wood, paper, or plastic. They also eat fungi. The fungi make it easier for them to break down cellulose.
Termites have a large gut containing thousands of microbes, each of which breaks down a different type of material. The termites’ symbiotic relationship with Termitomyces fungi provides them with the enzymes needed to digest cellulose.
Termites are highly social creatures, and they live in colonies made up of several social classes. Some of the species of termites have kings and queens.
Workers work at the colony, performing construction duties. When the time is right, they will leave the nest and search for food. When they find something, they will leave a chemical trail behind. They also use water to soften the wood. The fungi and bacteria in their guts help them digest the cellulose in the wood.
During feedings, termites will excrete partially digested wood in drops. They also ingest a paste from the anus of a worker.
