Aging worker termites explode themselves in suicide missions

(Phys.org) -- A new study of termites has revealed that older workers are equipped with suicide packs of chemicals on their backs to fight off intruders.

Aging termites put on suicide backpacks full of chemical weapons

Termites explode to defend their colonies

Older workers use chemical reaction to increase toxicity of 'explosive backpacks'.

Termite 'bomb' for nest intruders

Aged members of a termite species use chemical weapons to injure nest intruders, a study in Science journal shows.

Suicidal termites use chemical weapons to defend colony

When their teeth are too blunt to be of use, ageing termites defend their territory by detonating explosive backpacks

Old Termites Blow Themselves Up to Protect the Nest

Aging insects carry explosive crystals on their backs

Terminator termites have unique technique

Older workers vanquish foes in toxic, self-sacrificial burst

Termite workers suicide to protect colony from invaders. Remarkable social behavior

Defense, like offence, is expensive for any animal. It takes resources and a lot of energy, and for some, it even comes at an ultimate sacrifice. Such is the case of a species of termite found ...

Old Termites Can Become Suicidal Terrorists

In the insect world, it pays not to mess around with old termites.

Older worker termites become exploding, toxic defenders

As their mandibles wear down, they engage in suicidal defense.

Termite Kamikazes

Older termites build up backpacks of toxic material that they can unleash on their enemies by bursting their bodies.

Exploding Blue Termites Spew Toxic Goo in Battle

A species of termite sends older workers on suicide missions, scientists say.

Exploding Toxic Termites: Oh Yeah, It's A Real Thing

Lee Rannals for redOrbit.com - Your Universe Online Just like wine and scotch, a species of termite has been found to just get better with age, except instead of developing tasty tannins, they ...