This study examines whether Eastern subterranean termites (Reticulitermes sp.) use swarm intelligence as a way to increase foraging efficacy. We hypothesized that termites would use the shortest trail in each maze configuration as a result of swarm intelligence. Groups of 20 termites were deprived of food for 48-72 hours. Each group was placed in one of three different maze configurations, each containing three different trails leading from the nest to the food source. These three trails varied in length (a short, medium, and long trail). The termites were placed in the mazes for the duration of 1-3 hours. After recording the behavior, it was coded and analyzed using Observer XT, a data observation and coding software system. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the data collected for the number of termites using the shortest trail versus the medium and large trails. It was concluded that the termites do not rely on swarm intelligence as a means for foraging. This could be due to the fact that the tasks were too simple or indicate that the time in the maze was too short for the termites to develop an efficient foraging strategy.
