Globitermes sulphureus

Defense

When the nest is damaged, the soldier termites defend the nest and workers rapidly repair any damage to the nest walls. The soldiers stand on alert on their legs and scan the area with their antennae. If the nest is attacked by ants, for example Oecophylla smaragdina, the workers immediately escape by retreating into the nest, while the soldiers remain outside to defend the nest. They will first attempt to catch and pierce the attackers with their large mandibles. If this does not deter the attackers, some soldiers secrete a yellow liquid from a large gland that occupies a large proportion of their body. The liquid is forced out of the gland by contractions of the mandibular muscles which compress the walls of the gland. This liquid rapidly hardens on contact with air, producing a sticky substance that traps ants and other termites. The secretion also contains a pheromone which attracts more soldiers to fight the attackers. In some cases, the contractions are so violent that the termites rupture themselves. This form of suicidal altruism is known as autothysis.

Nitrogen fixation

G. sulphureus is able to fix nitrogen. An experiment in Thailand found that they fix around 250 grams of nitrogen per hectare per year. Although this contribution is only between 7% and 22% of the total nitrogen inputs in the ecosystem it is thought to be relatively important as termites add it to dead wood, thereby accelerating its decomposition.

Foraging

G. sulphureus forages areas of up to 62m2 and ventures up to 16m away from its nest.

Control

The species is a major pest in areas it inhabits as it attacks wooden structures and can damage coconut and oil palm plantations. Experiments have shown that it can be controlled using the insecticide imidacloprid.

References

References

1. {{GBIF
2. Bordereau, C.. (August 1997). "Suicidal defensive behaviour by frontal gland dehiscence in ''Globitermes sulphureus'' Haviland soldiers (Isoptera)". Insectes Sociaux.
3. Majid, Abdul Hafiz Ab.. (2007). "Preliminary field efficacy of imidacloprid on ''Globitermes sulphureus'' (Isoptera: Termitidae) (Subterranean termite) in Penang". Jurnal Biosains.
4. Yamada, Akinori. (February 2006). "Nitrogen fixation by termites in tropical forests, Thailand". Ecosystems.
5. Lee, Chow-Yang. (2003). "Foraging colonies of a higher mound-building subterranean termite, ''Globitermes sulphureus'' (Haviland) in Malaysia". Japanese Journal of Environmental Entomological Zoology.