Termite Suicide Bombers

Some termites blow themselves up to expel invaders from their nest.

Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:22 PM • 11 Comments

Comments

boog • August 10, 2012 1:59 PM

“The aged termites carry out suicide missions on behalf of their nest mates.”

“But in previously observed cases… the suicide missions are the responsibility of a distinct caste of soldier termites, not aging workers.”

So there is a valid reason for subjecting the elderly to the same security screening as everyone else.

Tom • August 10, 2012 2:41 PM

Ha! Touché.

ChristianO • August 10, 2012 5:24 PM

Ah when reading the headline I already though about someone starting a Thermite reaction from Thermite hidden in the intestines. That could develop enough water vapor to blow up… and Thermite itself might have fatal results to an airplane.

Lord Yarble • August 10, 2012 11:27 PM

Well, if you see something, say something; especially if it’s a termite in proximity to an airport or bus station, or random checkpoint. I was just beginning to feel safe too, and now this! In fact, if you love babies, you’ll assume everyone has hostile termites in their knickers.

Sean • August 11, 2012 12:00 PM

Binary chemical weapons have always been problematic in their function. Maybe if we breed giant termites that can survive being air dropped and are bred to only explode on impact…

Dirk Praet • August 11, 2012 4:03 PM

Before educationally challenged TSA staffers start panicking: thermites are ants, not muslims.

Wael • August 11, 2012 4:30 PM

@ Dirk Praet

thermites are ants, not muslims.

Good one! I like it.
Keep playing with the piraña 😉

There is a small difference between “thermites” and “termites”:

Termites bring small buildings down, and thermites bring much larger buildings down 😉

Dirk Praet • August 12, 2012 5:32 AM

@ Wael

There is a small difference between “thermites” and “termites”

Pun intended 😎