What is in the dangerous chemical that termites give off when they get too old and commit suicide?

Question

I just read an article on termites, that when they get too old to forage for food. they turn themselves into a 'bomb'? Is it dangerous to people as well or just other insects/animals?

Answer 1

The answer is the toxic chemical known as Naphthalene. Amounts of naphthalene are produced by magnolias and types of deer, as well as the Formosan subterranean termite, possibly produced by the termite as a repellent again repellent poisonous fungi and nematode worms. Some strains of the endophytic fungus Muscodor albus produce naphthalene among a range of volatile organic compounds, while Muscodor vitigenus produces naphthalene almost exclusively.

Naphthalene has also been linked to be found in meteorites

Answer 2

The chemical is copper.



Old workers of Neocapritermes taracua develop blue spots on their abdomens that are filled with copper containing proteins. These react with a secretion from the labial gland upon autothysis to form a mixture which is toxic to other termites.



The termites don't necessarily use a chemical but explode themselves via the process of autothysis which is the process where an it destroys itself via an internal rupturing or explosion of an organ which ruptures the skin.



Some termites such as the soldiers use a sticky secretion by rupturing a gland near the skin of their neck, producing a tar baby effect in defense against ants. It is a form of suicidal altruism.



And no it is not toxic to humans in any way or form

Answer 3

Anthrax