Student Research Reports
Influence of Light on Termite Biology: Toward Sustainable Cultivation Strategies
Organization(s):Paphayomphittayakom School
Country:Thailand
Student(s):Seksak Aiadnut
Chatchapol Promkhwan
Nitnapha Sarakun
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Pornpawit Tabchum, KANATIP BAOLAI
Contributors:Rommel De La Cruz
Writing Consultant
Teacher at Paphayompittayakom School
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, Standard Research Report
Protocols:Air Temperature, Relative Humidity
Presentation Video:
View Video
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/06/2024
The study investigated the influence of various light colors on termite quantity and fungal growth. A total of 192 termites were utilized, including worker termites, soldier
termites, and nymph/larvae. Twenty-four termites with a consistent weight of 32 grams
per box were housed in separate compartments, each exposed to a unique color: purple, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and natural light.
In the pursuit of understanding how light frequency, intensity, and temperature affect both termite quantity and weight, as well as fungal growth, the researchers measured humidity and temperature within each culture box, conducted termite population counts, and calculated the percentage of fungal content.
The results revealed statistically significant differences, at a 0.05 significance level in
the weight of the breeding boxes, termite quantity, and the percentage of fungal content within the boxes exposed to different light colors. The number of termites was
found to have a significant correlation with the frequency and intensity of light, as well as the temperature inside the box at a 0.05 significance level. Similarly, the percentage of fungal content within the boxes showed significant relationships with both the quantity of termites and the temperature inside the box at a 0.05 significance level.