#TERMITES

[jupiterswasphouse]

I've just recently learned about the termite subfamily Nasutitermitinae! and I want to take a moment to talk about their soldier caste, because, I mean... Look at these guys:

[Image Source: Taxonomic Notes on Nasutitermes and Bulbitermes (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) from the Sunda region of Southeast Asia based on morphological and molecular characters | Image ID: Four photos of soldier termites of the Nasutitermitinae subfamily, genus Nasutitermes, showing their heads from above. They have particularly round heads with pointed "noses" /End ID.]

'Why are they shaped like that?' you may be asking, and, as it turns out, that charming little nose is actually a means for chemical warfare! It's referred to as a "fontanellar gun" (likely meaning "fountain gun", alternatively called the nasus), and these termites use it to fire a sort of glue, or ant repellent depending on species. In fact, the accuracy of this shot is quite remarkable, as termites are blind!

[Image Source: The Nasutitermitinae termites, Termite Web | Image ID: A photo of more termites of the subfamily Nasututitermitinae, focusing on a large, major soldier amongst smaller, minor soldiers and worker termites]

[leather-field]

Drew all the Bound and discovered in the process that I am a massive hater of almost all patho 2 redesigns

[life-on-our-planet]

Compass termites are named for the structures they build, which are always oriented with their main axis running north to south. This ensures that the colony receive extra warmth from the sun in the morning and evening, and less sun at midday when it's the hottest. ©Frankenscience

[hawkpartys]

[hymenoptera07]

hi tumblr. bugposting time

SO . i learned abt some very inch resting termites . they look so goofy /pos

^ these guys here

Armed nasute termite (soldier), Rhynchotermes perarmatus

apparently the thing on their face is called a fontanellar gun, and they use it to ward off predators by shooting chemicals out of it at a distance btw i found this picture on this site here, this specific link leads to a gallery of a bunch of different insects in the order Blattodea, but you can look around on the site and find info and pictures on a bunch of other stuff too :]

extra fun fact!: termites are in the order Blattodea too, just like roaches! so they are indeed related to roaches :)

[patheticmosasaur1]

today's invertebr-SUDDEN ROACH ATTACK!!!!!!!!

did you really think I was done with roaches??? wrong!!!!!!! get roach'd!!!!!!!!!

HAHAGAGAHHGAHAHAHAHAGSHAA

[lilybug-02]

I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A HUGE ANT COLONY IN BRAZIL AND IT LOOKED LIKE A KINGDOM SO IN THEORY HALLOWNEST COULD BE REAL

I'm guessing you've never you seen West African Termite Mounds?

They are genuinely insane.

They even carbon-dated a set of four mounds in the Congo’s Miombo Woods and found them to be between 680 and 2200 years old. [via] HOLY SH*T

[xabarik]

Brotherhood is done yay

Btw sorry, I'll do the subtitles late because my internet is down </3

[inkedberries]

there's just something about kids picking up the slack of a town that's failed them that speaks to me

[fishsyndrome]

Blind Soldier Termites

[jenfoundabug]

Stunning rainbow wings Incisitermes minor (Western drywood termite) Northern California, US

[dimetrodone]

Termite digimon

[lazchance]

back to critters for a bit!

story: i was walking across the forest floor when i heard an unusual, unrecognisable sound... i glanced down and saw THOUSANDS like thousands of termites just munching on leaves. it takes you a moment to process the fact that they are SO MANY termites they are making an AUDIBLE munching noise that humans can hear.

its freaking terrifying and a little disgusting, but also very cool... its like the forest floor is alive and making a digestion sound...

these termites belong to the species (Macrotermes carbonarius) they are known for having intimidating soldiers (i captured one in the first pic) with massive mandibles that are large enough to rip through human skin. there are videos on youtube with people getting bitten by the soldiers and theres blood

also... whats with the termites only picking certain leaves on the forest floor to munch on? it has nothing to do with the freshness of the leaves... they liked both the green and brown ones but avoided seemingly random leaves

[jajatoc]

A dump of Pathologic sketch ideas but my obsession with the Girl of faith couldn't be more obvious

[ordinarywirelessmicrophone]

Oh, you don't want Markiplier eating your house? Well maybe you shouldn't have made it out of termites then. How about that.