🐜🏘️ Invasive subterranean #termites are moving through #Florida at an alarming rate.

New #research shows that warming temperatures are allowing these destructive #insects to expand their territory farther north than ever before.

👉 https://www.popsci.com/environment/termite-spread-florida/

#entomology #science #environment #STEM #climatechange #climate

I just learned that #termites contain bacteria in their gut that produce lots of #CO2 and #H2 from the wood fibers they eat. AND THEN they have ANOTHER type of bacteria that feeds on the #CO2 and #H2 , to produce acetate that in turn THE #termites THEMSELF eat! How cool!

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019316

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.257.5075.1384

#CODH #enzymes #microbiome

Nothing like a mild day to bring out the #termites Noticed them starting to swarm on the foundation while taking down the x-mas lights. Sprayed liberally and will be calling the exterminator later. (I’m waiting for the #carpenterants to wake up next.) Very #discouraging #homeownership is a drag. #insect #adulting

#termites are a group of detritophagous eusocial cockroaches[3][4][5][6] which consume a variety of decaying plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, and soil humus. They are distinguished by their moniliform antennae and the soft-bodied, unpigmented worker caste for

#termites are a group of detritophagous eusocial cockroaches[3][4][5][6] which consume a variety of decaying plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, and soil humus. They are distinguished by their moniliform antennae and the soft-bodied, unpigmented worker caste for

Mammals have developed some unusual eating habits over the past 100 million years, but a new study has uncovered the surprising lengths to which some have gone to satisfy one of the more peculiar—a taste for #ants and #termites.

Mammals independently evolved specialized adaptations for exclusively feeding on ants and termites at least 12 times since the #Cenozoic era began, roughly 66 million years ago.

The #convergent #evolution among #mammals toward this dietary strategy—called #myrmecophagy—emerged following the K-Pg #extinction and fall of non-avian dinosaurs, which reshaped ecosystems and set the stage for ant and termite colonies to rapidly expand worldwide.

Over 200 mammal #species are known to eat ants and termites today, yet only about 20 true myrmecophages—such as giant anteaters, aardvarks and pangolins—have evolved traits like long sticky tongues, specialized claws and stomachs, and reduced or missing teeth, to efficiently consume thousands of these insects daily as their sole food source.

#evolution #ecology #biology
https://phys.org/news/2025-07-mammals-evolved-ant-eaters-dinosaur.html

Vida et al. (2025):
https://academic.oup.com/evolut/article-abstract/79/10/2315/8155241

@NanoRaptor Now I'm glad #Termites ain't a thing in #Europe!

These adorable creatures are Nasutitermes walkeri, the native Australian tree #termite! Accidentally damaged their tube while trying to photograph something else, which exposed them for this photo!

#WildOz #OzInverts #MacroPhotography #Meanjin #Brisbane #Australia #Nature #Arthropod #Insect #Termites

Ars Technica has cooked up a story about #termites curating their gardens like tiny, six-legged Martha Stewarts. 🐜🌿 Apparently, these industrious insects are the new pioneers in pest management, proving yet again that humans are just playing catch-up with bugs. 🙄🔍
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/10/termite-farmers-fine-tune-their-weed-control/ #gardening #pestmanagement #natureinnovation #entomology #HackerNews #ngated

Pest Control Without Chemicals Natural Safe And Effective

https://frovat.com/pest-control-without-chemicals-natural-safe-and-effective/

#pestcontrol #insects #termites #bugs #rats #mice #mouse #florida #miami #pests #spiders #entrepreneur #onpointpestcontrol #exterminator #termite #frovat #frovatdesign

Winged termites (kumbekumbe) are among Kenya's most nutrient-dense foods, containing 32-45% protein and rich in iron, zinc, and healthy fats.

#kumbekumbe #wingedtermites #protein #indigenousfood #termites

https://www.fitsavanna.co.ke/nutrition/kumbekumbe-winged-termites-nutrition-facts-harvesting-preparation-kenya

#Mammals that chose #ants and #termites as #food almost never go back
A study reveals that this extreme #dietary specialization, once thought rare and mysterious, has emerged independently in mammals at least 12 times in the last 66 million years (i.e., since the Cenozoic era began). This is a striking example of convergent #evolution and shows just how powerful ants and termites have been in shaping mammalian history.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/08/mammals-that-chose-ants-and-termites-as-food-almost-never-go-back/

Termite farmers fine-tune their weed control https://arstechni.ca/FvLG #agriculture #entomology #termites #Science #Biology

started a #wikipedia article on American entomologist and college professor Caroline Burling Thompson (1869-1921): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Burling_Thompson @wikiwomeninred @wellesleyalums #UPenn #Philadelphia #termites #ants #WomeninSTEM

The world's most elusive #orchid lives underground in #Australia. Scientists are trying to rescue it from going completely extinct https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250925-the-race-to-save-the-worlds-rarest-orchid

"It flowers, grows, germinates, and sets seed totally underground, and is pollinated by #termites. The orchid is able to survive underground thanks to an intricate 3-way alliance: it connects to an above-ground #Melaleuca bush through #fungi. The connecting #fungus transfers nutrients from the bush to the orchid."

The NBN was responsible for me finding termites. What?

Termites are a big issue here. I've had minor & significant damage over the years.

After some duds, we got a reliable inspection company. The owner retired & they were bought by the big one. Standards dropped immediately. Visits were done, but it was obvious bait stations were being skipped. I paid for my last contract & was ignored for 6mths. The contract was later extended - after I chased them, but damage done.

#termites
1/5

#Soils
#Sénégal. Le sol est lieu de vie.
Cette termitière géante est un exemple spectaculaire de l’activité biologique sur et dans les sols (ici en milieu tropical).

#photography
#termites
#French

#Termites have a complex social system made up of castes. The lowest caste has workers that do everything from finding food to building the mound. The highest caste consists of a queen-she reproduces and is served by the

#Termites have a complex social system made up of castes. The lowest caste has workers that do everything from finding food to building the mound. The highest caste consists of a queen-she reproduces and is served by the