Microjet Spitting Defense in Conehead Termites

Tropical Nasutitermite soldiers safeguard their colonies by ejecting adhesive jets of liquid from specialized head structures. Utilizing high-speed imaging and micro-rheological tests from the Peruvian Amazon, we uncover the fluid dynamics and physical properties of their minuscule adhesive jets. We combines mathematical analysis with behavioral observations to reveal two key defensive strategies. First, the termites act collectively to multiply their defensive capabilities despite their small size. Second, they harness the complex fluid dynamics of their sticky microjets, using head oscillations to shift from generating liquid coils to forming lasso-like viscous strands that can extend up to twice their body length—enabling effective deterrence of larger predators. Using micro-CT scans, computational fluid dynamics, and experiments, we model the pressure-driven flow through the termites' specialized heads to understand the geometry's influence on jet behavior. Understanding the termites' biomechanics and fluid dynamics of their microjets informs both their biological defense limits and the design of microscale jet nozzle.