Termite cooperation to alter moisture content of food items

Subterranean termites are highly susceptible to desiccation, and moisture is a critical factor in their survival. Consequently, water relations govern many facets of termite biology. Termites possess a pair of salivary reservoirs that function in water storage. The stored water presumably is used to raise the humidity in unfavorable microclimates. The main objective of this research study was to evaluate moisture change of a dry food source (cellulose pad) in the presence of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, for a 21-day period. The volume of the workers’ salivary reservoirs also was measured. Furthermore, worker interactions during water transport were investigated. This study provides data showing that termites cooperate to rapidly transport water to a dry food source.