Exploding termites defend their colony

A species of termite in the rainforests of French Guiana takes altruism to the next level: by growing sacks of toxic blue liquid that they explode onto their enemies in an act of suicidal self-sacrifice. Read more at: http://www.nature.com/news/1.11074
Video courtesy of R. Hanus

• Category

  Pets & Animals

[FernsVideoArchive]

Where's the explosion? Darn....

[Nature Newsteam]

The explosion is largely internal (see the story linked to above) - the abdominal wall ruptures producing the blue backpack, which you can see in the video. When other termites crawl over that, it showers them with the toxin.

[Nature Newsteam]

We agree it's not as spectacular as 'The Rock' but it's pretty extreme natural behaviour nonetheless....

[max81122]

The exploding video was pulled due to environmentalist's complaints. Either that or it was soccer moms.

[cyrusrom]

They are not workers they are soldiers. See the jaws.

[everyrider]

Banelings from sc2 are REAL!! raise your supply depots

[andygaras]

ive produced bigger explosions than that

[Jadeydee1]

Oh no you will not hit her

[TheLonelyImmortal]

I was really hoping for an explosion, since the title of this video indicates taht it contains AT LEAST ONE EXPLOSION.

[turquoise1104]

These termites are made in China XD

[麗明 梁]

Termite creeper~XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

[ellesse98]

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[ellesse98]

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