Globitermes sulphureus
| Globitermes sulphureus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Blattodea |
| Infraorder: | Isoptera |
| Family: | Termitidae |
| Genus: | Globitermes |
| Species: | G. sulphureus
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| Binomial name | |
| Globitermes sulphureus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Globitermes sulphureus (suicidal attack ants) is a species of
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 antennas. If the nest is attacked by
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.[3]
Foraging
G. sulphureus forages areas of up to 62m2 and ventures up to 16m away from its nest.[5]
Control
The species is a major pest in areas it inhabits as it attacks wooden structures
See also
- Colobopsis explodens – Species of Asian ant
- Colobopsis saundersi – Ant species capable of suicidal altruism Its defensive mechanism is similar to that of Globitermes sulphureus.
References
- ^ a b c "Globitermes sulphureus (Haviland, 1898)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
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- ^ .
- ^ a b Majid, Abdul Hafiz Ab.; Abu Hassan Ahmad; Rashid M Z A & Che Salmah Md Rawi (2007). "Preliminary field efficacy of imidacloprid on Globitermes sulphureus (Isoptera: Termitidae) (Subterranean termite) in Penang" (PDF). Jurnal Biosains. 18 (2): 109–114. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22.
- ^ a b Lee, Chow-Yang; Jocelyn Yap; Peng-Soon Ngee & Zairi Jaal (2003). "Foraging colonies of a higher mound-building subterranean termite, Globitermes sulphureus (Haviland) in Malaysia" (PDF). Japanese Journal of Environmental Entomological Zoology. 14 (2): 105–112. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18.