The Effects of Pollutants on Termites

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The Effects of Pollutants on Termites

• Jonathan Johnson
• Noel Snowden (Clark Atlanta University)
• William Said, PhD. (Georgia State University)
• Institute of Neuroscience
• Emory University

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Background

• Termites are a soft-bodied social insect that
  live in warm areas and eat wood.
• They are pale-colored and also called white ants.
  
• Termites break down dead wood and other wood
  materials and turn it into humus.

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Background

• Termites begin to cause problems when they burrow
  into homes and other wooden structures.
• They account for ___ Million dollars in Georgia
  alone for prevention and repair.
• Nationally they account for _ Billion Dollars of
  prevention and repair.

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Subterranean Termite

• Subterranean Termite worker follows an alcohol
  based pheromone.
• This trail-following pheromone causes them to
  forage and assemble their nest
• This pheromone is mimicked in Bic black ball
  point pens.

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Pollutants

• Research has shown that termites trail following
  ability was not affected by cold shocks.
• Further research has shown that pollutants have
  an affect on their ability.
• These pollutants include fClorox, Car Exhaust,
  and Cigarette Smoke.

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Materials

• Petri Dish
• BIC Pens
• Filter Paper
• Paint Brush
• Glue Stick
• Timer
• Car Exhaust

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Materials

• Subterranean Termite Workers
• Cigarette Pack

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Methods
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Discussion

• The pollutants have an inhibiting affect on the
  trail following ability of termites
• The pollutants interfere with the transmission of
  the mimic pheromone
• The exhaust was the weaker of the two pheromones

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Discussion

• The cigarette smoke was more effective ending one
  trial in three minutes.
• The cigarette smoke also effected the control
  that was taken in room.
• fClorox, cold shock treatment, Lysol, Pinesol,
  and air fresheners
• How other insects are affected by the same
  pheromone

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Acknowledgements

• Institute of Neuroscience
• Emory University
• Georgia State University
• Kyle Frantz Ph.D
• Renee Haslett Ph.D
• Nelson Totah
• William Said Ph.D

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• Noel Snowden
• Ioners
• Family