Interactions
Interactions
Cryptotermes cavifrons
interacts with a number of other organisms.
C. cavifrons
has a very interesting symbiotic relationship with up to several
species of protozoans that make their home in
C.cavifron’s
gut. These protozoans live here because they require an anaerobic
environment to survive, and in return they help
C.cavifron’s
metabolize and digest cellulose that comes from its wood diet. These
protozoans are able to break down cellulose using enzymes cellulase
and cellobiase into energy compounds to be used for the termite.
(O'Brien et al. 2006).
Photo courtesy of Stan Gillam
A predator interaction
that
C.cavifrons
has, is with its main enemy, ants. Ants view termites as a plentiful
resource and will often attack termite colonies that they discover.
The relatively soft body along with the stationary colony of the
termite with high concentrations in a small area makes them an easy
target for the hard bodied capable ants. The main line of protection
that termites have evolved in response is the soldier caste that use
their large mandibles to tear up prey and block the entrance of the
tunnels to combat these invaders (Buczkowski and Bennet 2007).
Another interaction this dry-wood termites has is with humans. This
termites makes it home in dry-wood and when there is no forest,
houses make a great target. Termites will make their home in
furniture, wood siding, attics, anything dry and woody will suffice
for these insects. The damage caused by these insects annually
globally is quite impressive at a whopping 22 billion dollars, these
insects are huge pests with most homeowners not realizing the damage
before it’s too late (University of Colorado 2003).
There are many ways to deal
with these pests and some can be quite imaginative here are a few
fumigate, electrocute, use liquid nitrogen, and microwave these
insects to kill them with varying rates of success (Baker et al.
2001).