Termite Behavior When Exposed to Pen Ink free essay sample

Abstract To test the hypothesis that termites are more attracted to ballpoint pens than pencils, highlighters, and sharpies. A random-single termite was given out of a jar of termites and placed in a petri dish, which trapped the termite. Paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, and sharpies were also given out. Each group drew multiples circles on the paper with all 3 of the writing utensils. The circle the class used was shaded in halfway with paper mate pen ink and the other half was shaded in pencil. The termite was then placed in the circle. The time was recorded for how long the termites were attracted to the pen or pencil. The pen ink was obviously the more attractive ink. The first termite was attracted to the pen ink and lingered on the pen-shaded area for about 33 seconds out of . Five more termites then replaced the first termite and each termite was recorded. We will write a custom essay sample on Termite Behavior When Exposed to Pen Ink or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The trail was repeated 5 times and the observations were recorded. The pen ink clearly attracted the termite the most compared to the pencil because on average the termite spent more time in the ink. The pen ink affected the termite’s behavior the most. Introduction Termites are small, white cylindrical insects that are usually found in wood or in the ground. They are know for deteriorating wood in households by eating the wood in the house structure. They do this because the wood contains cellulose. Termites use a caste system in the community similar to ants. They have a single queen, workers, soldiers and young that make up their community. In nature, termites’ breakdown wood in order to use the cellulose and nutrients to help plants grow. Termites of course are notorious for eating the wood of households and can be a huge problem and inconvenience to any household because of their size and difficulty to remove from the wood. The termites set up their community in the wood and also don’t leave until all of the wood is eaten. It has been know for many years that termites are attracted to ink. They are most attracted to pen ink. The scent of the ink triggers the termites’ scent of smell into thinking that there are pheromones being produced by another termite. As previously stated, termites are in a caste system, which explains why they would follow the scent of the pen ink thinking it was the pheromones of another termite. This study is helpful to biologist in that it can lead to a way to trap termites. Knowing that ink attracts termites can help scientist create a special formula in order to lure termites into a trap. The main goal of the experiment is to find out if the notion that termites are attracted to pen ink is true. Termite Lab Report StudyMode. com. 09 2012. 09 2012 http://www. studymode. com/essays/Termite-Lab-Report-1094498. html Matthews, R W. and J. R. Matthews. 2012 I Walk the Line: A Popular Termite Activity Revisited. The American Biology Teacher , Vol. 74, pp. 490-495 J. Culin, 2012. Bugs In the Classroom: Clemson University; Department of Entomology. Methods/Materials To test the hypothesis that pen ink attracts termites, one termite was given from a community of termites in a jar and placed in a petri dish. While the termite was in the dish, pens, pencils, highlighters, and sharpies were used to draw circles on a blank piece of white paper. The circle was drawn in pen and shaded half with pen ink and half pencil. The termite was placed in a circle, and its behavior was recorded, using a stopwatch, for one minute. The times, in which the termite spent on ink or pencil, were recorded and later plugged into and Excel worksheet. 4 more termites were then placed in the petri dish and the same procedures were conducted as previously stated. These steps were used and 5 trails were recorded and calculated to prove the hypothesis. Results 5 trails were conducted and the times are as follows. The first termite recorded 42 seconds in the pen ink, and 18 seconds in the penicl. The next termite recorded 37 in the pen ink and 23 in the pencil. The next termite recorded 45 seconds in the pen ink and 15 seconds in the pencil. The forth termite recorded 50 seconds in the pen ink and 10 seconds in the pencil. The final termite recoded 47 seconds in the pen ink and 13 seconds on the pencil. The average for the papermate ink pen was 44. 2. The average for the pencil ink was 15. 8. Pen ink Pencil Mean 44. 2 15. 8 Variance 24. 7 24. 7 Observations 5 5 Pooled Variance 24. 7 Hypothesized Mean 0 df 8 t stat 9. 035243634 P(T