Abstract
Behavioral responses to vibrational stimuli were examined in two subterranean termite species, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Termites habituated to vibrational stimulation when in social groups, but failed to do so individually, indicating that habituation is a collective action. In assays on termite groups, both species demonstrated a similar pattern of behavioral responses to vibrational stimuli: evanescent cessation of activity and movement, followed by withdrawal from the vibration source. Groups of both species then gradually moved back toward the vibration source as a consequence of continuous exposure. However, it took a significantly shorter period for C. formosanus to return (57 s) to the test arena and to resume (80 s) normal foraging activities in the test arena compared with R. flavipes, which took 97 and 227 s, respectively, when exposed to the vibration frequency of 120 bmpm. High vibration frequency (240 bmpm) increased the time required to return (C. formosanus, 80 s; R. flavipes, 153 s) and to resume regular locomotion (C. formosanus, 186 s; R. flavipes, 263 s). Our experiments demonstrate that workers play a crucial part in adjusting groups of termites to distressful vibrations. Soldiers of R. flavipes demonstrated similar behavioral responses as workers, however, C. formosanus soldiers exhibited a transient positive response before withdrawal.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Analytical Software (2000). Statistix 7, Analytical Software, Tallahassee, FL.
Campora, C. E., and Grace, J. K. (2001). Tunnel orientation and search pattern sequence of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 94: 1193-1199.
Cornelius, M. L., and Grace, J. K. (1997). Effect of termite soldiers on the foraging behavior of Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the presence of predatory ants. Sociobiology 29: 247-253.
Cornelius, M. L., Daigle, D. J., Connick, W. J., Parker, A., Jr., and Wunch, K. (2002). Responses of Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to three types of wood rot fungi cultured on different substrates. J. Econ. Entomol. 95: 121-128.
Delaplane, K. S., and La Fage, J. P. (1989). Foraging tenacity of Reticulitermes flavipes and Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 16: 183-189.
Forschler, B. T., and Henderson, G. (1995). Subterranean termite behavioral reaction to water and survival of inundation: Implications for field populations. Environ. Entomol. 24: 1592-1597.
Forschler, B. T., and Ryder, J. C. (1996). Subterranean termite, Reticulitermes spp, colony response to bating with hexaflumuron using a prototype commercial termite baiting system. J. Entomol. Sci. 31: 143-151.
Forschler, B. T., and Townsend, M. L. (1996). Mark-release-recapture estimates of Reticulitermes spp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) colony foraging populations from Georgia, U.S.A. Environ. Entomol. 25: 952-962.
Foster, B. T., Connato, A. I., and Gold, R. E. (2002). Characterization of subterranean termite populations as part of bait evaluation. In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Urban Pests, 10–12 July 2002, Charleston, NC, pp. 335-340.
Getty, G. M., Haverty, M. I., Copren, K. A., and Lewis, V. R. (2000). Response of Reticulitermes spp. in northern California to baiting with hexaflumuron with Sentricon termite colony elimination system. J. Econ. Entomol. 93: 1498-1507.
Glenn, G. J., and Gold, R. E. (2002). Evaluation of commercial termite baiting systems for pest management of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Urban Pests, 10–12 July 2002, Charleston, NC, pp. 325-334.
Goldberg, P. J. (1983). Construction et apprentissage social chez le Termite lucifuge Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi). Ann. Sci. Nat. Zool. Paris 5: 9-40, 181–206, 259–287.
Grace, J. K. (1989). Habituation in termite orientation response to fungal semiochemicals. Sociobiology 16: 175-182.
Haverty, M. I. (1977). The proportion of soldiers in termite colonies: A list and a bibliography (Isoptera). Sociobiology 2: 199-216.
Henderson, G. (1998). Primer pheromones and possible soldier caste influence on the evolution of sociality in lower termites. In Vander Meer, R. K., Breed, M. D., Espelie, K. E., and Winston, M. L. (eds.), Pheromone Communication in Social Insects—Ants, Wasps, Bees, and Termites, Westview Press, Boulder, CO, pp. 314-330.
Henderson, R., and Forschler, B. T. (1997). Termite bait tests. La. Agr. 40: 9-11.
Hu, X. P., and Zhu, F. (2003). Aggressive relationship between two subterranean termites. Acta Zool. Sinica 49: 296-302.
Lewis, V. R. (1997). Alternative control strategies for termites. J. Agr. Entomol. 14: 291-307.
Lewis, V. R., Haverty, M. I., Getty, G. M., Copren, K. A., and Fouche, C. (1998). Monitoring stations for studying populations of Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in California. Pan-Pacific Entomol. 74: 121-133.
Papaj, D. R., and Prokopy, R. J. (1989). Ecological and evolutionary aspects of learning in phytophagous insects. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 34: 315-350.
Pawson, B. M., and Gold, R. E. (1996). Evaluation of baits for termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Texas. Sociobiology 28: 485-510.
Peeke, H. V. S., and Petinovich, L. (1984). Habituation, Sensitization, and Behavior, Academic Press, New York.
Reinhard, J., and Clement, J.-L. (2001). Alarm reaction of European Reticulitermes termites to soldier head capsule volatiles (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae). J. Insect Behav. 15: 95-107.
Shettleworth, S. J. (1984). Learning and behavioural ecology. In Krebs, J. R., and Davies, N. B. (eds.), Behavioral Ecology: An Evolutionary Approach, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA, pp. 170-194.
Su, N.-Y. (1991). Evaluation of bait-toxicants for suppression of subterranean termite population. Sociobiology 19: 211-220.
Su, N.-Y., and Scheffrahn, R. H. (1988). Foraging population and territory of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 14: 353-359.
Su, N.-Y., and Scheffrahn, R. H. (1991). Laboratory evaluation of two slow-acting toxicants against Formosan and eastern subterranean termites. J. Econ. Entomol. 84: 170-175.
Su, N.-Y., and Scheffrahn, R. H. (1996). A review of the evaluation criteria of bait-toxicant efficacy against field colonies of subterranean termites (Isoptera). Sociobiology 28: 521-530.
Su, N.-Y., Scheffrahn, R. H., and Ban, P. M. (1995). Effects of sulfluramid-treated bait blocks on field colonies of the Formosan subterranean termite. J. Econ. Entomol. 88: 1343-1348.
Tamashiro, M., Fujii, J. K., and Lai, P.-Y. (1973). A simple method to observe, trap, and prepare large numbers of subterranean termites for laboratory and field experiments. Environ. Entomol. 2: 721-722.
Traniello, J. F. A., and Leuthold, R. H. (2000). Behavior and ecology of foraging in termites. In Abe, E. D., Bignell, E., and Migashi, M. (eds.), Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology, Kluwer Academic, New York, pp. 144-168.
Traniello, J. F. A., and Thorne, B. L. (1994). Termite baits in theory and practice. In Proceedings of the National Conference on Urban Entomology, 20–22 February, Atlanta, GA, pp. 28-40.
Yates, J. R., and Tamashiro M. (1990). The Formosan subterranean termite in Hawaii. Research Extension Series 117, Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10905-007-9087-y.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hu, X.P., Appel, A.G. & Traniello, J.F.A. Behavioral Response of Two Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to Vibrational Stimuli. Journal of Insect Behavior 16, 703–715 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOIR.0000007705.50488.57
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOIR.0000007705.50488.57