3D Tracking of Building Processes in Macrotermes

Mound-building termites of the genus Macrotermes actively reshape their physical environment in ways that benefit their colony. Previous studies of Macrotermes have focused on the response of termites to stimuli such as water and pheromones. Observations typically quantify relative preferences between stimuli or the bulk movement of building material. However, for fuller insight into the construction process, we seek a greater understanding of how individual termites react to partially built structures including their detailed geometric form. Here we present tools we have developed to produce detailed height maps of soil terrain in experimental petri dishes, including ongoing work toward continuous scanning for dynamic height maps while termites actively rearrange soil. These tools inform our ongoing study of how termites build complex large-scale structures through local interactions with their environment.