Termite Behavior When Exposed to Pen Ink
Termite behavior when exposed to pen ink
Abstract To test the hypothesis that termites are more attracted to ballpoint pens than pencils, highlighters, and sharpies. A random-single termite was given out of a jar of termites and placed in a petri dish, which trapped the termite. Paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, and sharpies were also given out. Each group drew multiples circles on the paper with all 3 of the writing utensils. The circle the class used was shaded in halfway with paper mate pen ink and the other half was shaded in pencil. The termite was then placed in the circle. The time was recorded for how long the termites were attracted to the pen or pencil. The pen ink was obviously the more attractive ink. The first termite was attracted to the pen ink and lingered on the pen-shaded area for about 33 seconds out of . Five more termites then replaced the first termite and each termite was recorded. The trail was repeated 5 times and the observations were recorded. The pen ink clearly attracted the termite the most compared to the pencil because on average the termite spent more time in the ink. The pen ink affected the termite’s behavior the most.
Introduction Termites are small, white cylindrical insects that are usually found in wood or in the ground. They are know for deteriorating wood in households by eating the wood in the house structure. They do this because the wood contains cellulose. Termites use a caste system in the community similar to ants. They have a single queen, workers, soldiers and young that make up their community. In nature, termites’ breakdown wood in order to use the cellulose and nutrients to help plants grow. Termites of course are notorious for eating the wood of households and can be a huge problem and inconvenience to any household because of their size and difficulty to remove from the wood. The termites set up their community in the wood and also don’t leave until all of the wood is eaten. It has been know for
Abstract To test the hypothesis that termites are more attracted to ballpoint pens than pencils, highlighters, and sharpies. A random-single termite was given out of a jar of termites and placed in a petri dish, which trapped the termite. Paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, and sharpies were also given out. Each group drew multiples circles on the paper with all 3 of the writing utensils. The circle the class used was shaded in halfway with paper mate pen ink and the other half was shaded in pencil. The termite was then placed in the circle. The time was recorded for how long the termites were attracted to the pen or pencil. The pen ink was obviously the more attractive ink. The first termite was attracted to the pen ink and lingered on the pen-shaded area for about 33 seconds out of . Five more termites then replaced the first termite and each termite was recorded. The trail was repeated 5 times and the observations were recorded. The pen ink clearly attracted the termite the most compared to the pencil because on average the termite spent more time in the ink. The pen ink affected the termite’s behavior the most.
Introduction Termites are small, white cylindrical insects that are usually found in wood or in the ground. They are know for deteriorating wood in households by eating the wood in the house structure. They do this because the wood contains cellulose. Termites use a caste system in the community similar to ants. They have a single queen, workers, soldiers and young that make up their community. In nature, termites’ breakdown wood in order to use the cellulose and nutrients to help plants grow. Termites of course are notorious for eating the wood of households and can be a huge problem and inconvenience to any household because of their size and difficulty to remove from the wood. The termites set up their community in the wood and also don’t leave until all of the wood is eaten. It has been know for