One of the most complex and exciting areas of insect biology is that of nest architecture and construction behavior. There are four major groups of insects that are well-recognized builders, while there are individual species in other groups that also build structures. The four major groups of builders are the Isoptera (termites), the Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps), the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths, though only moths build), and the Trichoptera (caddisflies). The moths and caddisflies build individual cases, cocoons, or group retreats, but the termites, ants, social bees and social wasps build the most elaborate structures. Some nests are enormous relative to the size of the builders (several miles high if the height is made proportional to human dimensions), able to maintain nearly constant temperature and humidity, and able to withstand years of harsh sun and driving tropical rains. Small insect groups that build, or with only a few building species, include the Diptera...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Hansell MH (1984) Animal architecture and building behaviour. Longman, New York, NY, 324 pp
Matthews RW, Matthews JR (1978) Insect behavior. Wiley, New York, NY, 507 pp
Ross KG, Matthews RW (eds) (1991) The social biology of wasps. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 678 pp
Turner JS (2000) The extended organism. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 235 pp
Von Frisch K (1974) Animal architecture. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York, NY, 306 pp
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Downing, H. (2008). Construction Behavior of Insects. In: Capinera, J.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_10001
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_10001
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-6242-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-6359-6
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences