STEM Program - TermitesBy: Sydney Luffman&Scarlett Edmunds

The Background of Termites

Diet: Termites usually feed on cellulose, a substance found in wood, cardboard, and paper.

The most common termite found in our area is the Subterranean termite.

Some termites build a home out of dirt and saliva. They engineer this home to have its own special form of air conditioning.

What TJ Showed Us TJ, one of our instructors, had drawn a

black circle on a sheet of paper, and the termite followed the line.

Our experiment was to discover why the termite did this.

Our hypotheses Termites are attracted to the color black. Termites are attracted to something in

the ink. Termites follow the indentation. Termites always walk in a cirlce.

Our Experiment with Predictions

Bic red ink

Pencil

Papermate blue ink

Black felt tip

Stylus

Triangle in Bic black ink

nothing

Attracted to color black

N Y N Y N Y N

Something in ink

Y N Y Not sure

N Y N

Follow an indentation

Y Y Y N Y Y N

Always walk in a circle

Y Y Y Y Y N Y

Key:N = noY = yes

Photos of the Experiment

1. Bic Black Pen2. Bic Red Pen3. Bic Black Triangle4. Pencil5. Papermate Blue Pen

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

Our discoveries Termites did walk in a circle drawn with

the Bic red ink, and in a triangle drawn with the Bic black ink.

They did not follow the circle with pencil, Black felt tip, Papermate blue ink, or stylus.

The termites also wandered aimlessly when there was nothing.

Our Conclusion We concluded the termites are attracted

to a chemical in Bic ink. TJ then gave us the “big reveal”. The

chemical in the ink is similar to the termites’ own pheromone trail, which they emit to lead them to food.