Springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola) escape from enemies with quick and powerful jumps by using their springing organ 4. For example, mantis shrimps (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) perform high-speed strikes to prey by using elastic energy stored in their raptorial appendages 3.

Some invertebrates’ elastic power-amplifying systems that incorporate latches and springs can overcome the physiological limits of muscle contraction and perform a powerful or rapid movement 1, 2. nitobei to strike its target at the front side is advantageous for defence in tunnels. nitobei required less elastic energy to achieve high velocity. Compared with other forms, the asymmetric snapping mandibles of Pe. nitobei killed 90–100% of the generalist ants with a single snap and was less likely to harm specialist ponerine ants. In experimental fights between termites and ant predators, Pe. High-speed video recordings of ball-strike experiments on termites were analysed using the principle of energy conservation the left mandibles precisely hit metal balls at the left-to-front side with a maximum linear velocity of 80.3 ± 15.9 m/s (44.0–107.7 m/s) and an impact force of 94.7 ± 18.8 mN (51.9–127.1 mN).

Ultrahigh-speed recordings of termites revealed a new record in biological movement, with a peak linear velocity of 89.7–132.4 m/s within 8.68 μs after snapping, which caused an impact force of 105.8–156.2 mN. We investigated the velocity, force, precision, and defensive performance of the asymmetric mandibular snaps of a termite species, Pericapritermes nitobei. The asymmetric mandibles of termites are hypothetically more efficient, rapid, and powerful than the symmetric mandibles of snap-jaw ants or termites.

Strike force termite