Termites fumigate their nests with naphthalene
Abstract
Termite nests provide a controlled environment and physical defence for the colonies of insects they house. Another important factor involved in colony defence may be volatile chemicals present in the nest: we have found the hydrocarbon naphthalene in extracts of the nest material produced by Formosan subterranean termites. This is the first time naphthalene has been found naturally associated with any insect species.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- April 1998
- DOI:
- 10.1038/33305
- Bibcode:
- 1998Natur.392..558C