Hobbies And Interests
Function
Termite scouts leave scent trails when searching for food. The scent comes from glands on the abdomen called the sternal gland. When the termite finds food, this scent becomes stronger. The scent helps guide the termites to the food. This is why termites will follow ink trails because they think they are following a path that will lead them to food.
Ingredient
The drying agent in ink from pens of the Brands BIC, Scripto and Papermate mimics termite trail pheromones. The drying agents are called glycol derivatives. Termite workers and soldiers will follow the scent of the ink while it is still fresh. Termite soldiers will follow ink trails longer than workers, according to Clemson University Department of Entomology. Termite soldiers have much larger bodies, heads and jaws than workers.
Experiment
Find a few termites in a rotting log. Draw a series of designs on paper such as spirals and zigzags and watch the termites follow the design. Try different pen brands and different designs to see how long the termites will follow. At the end of the experiment, place the termites back where they were found.
Time Frame
How long termites will follow an ink trail will vary according to brand or how wet the ink is. Natural termite pheromone varies in intensity depending on the temperature and moisture levels of the soil and the quality of food found. They are not influenced by color. Termite trail pheromones fade away quickly if they are not renewed by other termites. In this way termites will not waste time following old trails to sites where there isn't any food.