Wood termites are insects that feed on wood. Wood is a very one-sided nutrient that contains mainly carbon in the form of lignin and cellulose and is difficult to decompose. Therefore the wood termites have different microorganisms in their intestines. Some help them digest wood, and some effectively recycle nitrogen to make the diet more varied.
Explanation for children: Wood termites eat a lot of wood. But if you eat only one food, it quickly becomes one-sided and you may not get enough nutrients. Therefore, wood termites have microorganisms in their intestines that help them to absorb as many different nutrients as possible.