Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Behavior and Ecology of Foraging in Termites

  • Chapter
Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology

Abstract

Foraging behavior has evolved in concert with termite life types, some species feeding on the wood in which they live and others harvesting food that is separate from the nest. The nutritional value of food sources appears to be critically important to colony foundation by alates as well as food selection by workers. Termite foraging is often a collective process in which groups of individuals search in organized patterns for new food sources and communicate their location by the use of sternal gland pheromones to other colony members. Division of labor between soldiers and workers and among workers is observed in the foraging activities of some rhinotermitids and in many species of higher termites. Soldiers function chiefly in the defense of workers, but may also explore new areas for food and recuit workers to newly discovered resources. Workers collect and process food, but may also defend foraging territory. The degree of caste polyethism seems to be correlated with termite ecology, and division of labor is most elaborate in fungus-growing termites such as Macrotermes. Many aspects of termite foraging, such as the measurement of task efficiency, the role of individuals and analysis of mechanisms of collective action require additional study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Abe, T. (1995) Feeding activity and intra and interspecific interactions of a fungus-growing termite, Macrotermes michaelseni (Sjostedt) in the grassland of Kenya. In: Structure and Function of Soil Communities(C. A. Edwards, T. Abe, and B. R. Striganova, Eds.), pp. 139–152, Kyoto University Press, Kyoto, Japan.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Abe, T. (1987) Evolution of life types in termites. In: Evolution, Coadaptation, and Biotic Communities ( S. Kawano, J. H. Connell and T. Hidaka Eds.), pp. 128–148, University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, Japan.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Abe, T. and Higashi, M. (1991) Cellulose centered perspective on terrestrial community structure. Oikos 60, 127–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Adams, E. A. and Levings, S. C. (1987) Territory size and population limits in mangrove termites. Journal of Animal Ecology 56, 1069–1081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Affolter, J. and Leuthold, R. H. (1993) Differentiated communication by pheromone trail in Macrotermes. Proceedings of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects Conference, Oland.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Amburgey, T. L. (1979) Review and checklist of the literature on interactions between wood-inhabiting fungi and subterranean termites: 1960–1978. Sociobiology 4, 279–296.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Araujo, R. L. (1969) Termites of the neotropical region. In: Biology of Termites, Vol 2 ( K. Krishna and F. M. Weesner, Eds.), pp. 527–576, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Badertscher, S., Gerber, C. and Leuthold, R.H. (1983) Polyethism in food supply and processing in the termite colonies of Macrotermes subhyalinus. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 12, 115–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Baroni-Urbani, C., Josens, G., and Peakin, G. J. (1978) Empirical data and demographic parameters. In: Production Ecology of Ants and Termites ( M. V. Brian, Ed.), pp. 5–44, Cambridge University Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  10. Berwert, N., Siegrist, M., and Leuthold, R. H. (1995) Wasserbeschaffung bei der Termite Macrotermes bellicosus. Proceedings of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects, German section, Utrecht, 15, 22.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bignell, D. (1994) Soil-feeding and gut morphology in higher termites. In: Nourishment and Evolution in Insect Societies ( J. L. Hunt and C. A. Nalepa, Eds.), pp. 131–159, Westview Press, Boulder.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Birch, A. J., et al. (1972) Neocembrene A, a termite trail pheromone. Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 1, 2653–2658.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Bonabeau, E., et al. (1997) Self-organization in social insects. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 12, 188–192.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Bordereau, C. A., et al. (1991) (3Z, 6Z, 8E)-3,6,8- dodecatrien- 1-ol in a higher fungus-growing termite, Pseudacanthotermes spiniger (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae). Journal of Chemical Ecology 17, 2177–2191.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bourke, A. and Franks, N. R. (1995) Social Evolution in Ants. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  16. 16. Brunner, D. (1992) Der Einfluss verschiedener Futterqualitäten auf den kollektiven Futtererwerb vonMacrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman). Thesis, University of Bern, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Chen, J., and Henderson, G. (1998) Tunnel and shelter tube convergence of Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the laboratory. Sociobiology 30, 305–318.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Chen, J., et al. (1998) Termites fumigate their nests with naphthalene. Nature 392, 558.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Chen, J., Henderson, G., and Laine, R.A. (1997) Isolation and identification of 2-phenoxyethanol from a ballpoint pen ink as a trail-following substance of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes sp. Journal of Entomological Science 33, 97–105.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Cleveland, L. R., et al. (1934) The wood-feeding roach Cryptocercus, its Protozoa, and the symbiosis between Protozoa and roach. Memoires of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 17, 185–342.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Coles, H. R. (1980) Defensive strategies in the ecology of Neotropical termites. Dissertation, University of Southampton, England.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Collins, N. M. (1977) The population ecology and energetics of Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman, Isoptera). Dissertation, University of London, England.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Cookson, L. J. (1987) 14C-lignin degradation by three Australian termite species. Wood Science and Technology 21, 11–25.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Crosland, M.W.J. and. Traniello, J.F.A. (1998) Studies of division of labour in termites using monocaste colonies. Ethology 104, 57–67.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Crosland, M.W.J., and Traniello, J.F.A. (1997) Behavioral flexibility in division of labor in the lower termite Reticulitermes fukiensis. Naturwissenschaften 84, 208–211.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Crosland, M.W.J., et al. (1997) Division of labour in a lower termite: most tasks performed by older workers. Animal Behaviour 54, 999–1012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Curtis, A. D. and Waller, D. A. (1997) Variation in rates of nitrogen fixation in termites: response to dietary nitrogen in the field and laboratory. Physiological Entomology 22, 303–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Darlington, J.P.E.C. (1982) The underground passages and storage pits used in foraging by a nest of the termite Macrotermes michaelseni in Kajiado, Kenya. Journal of Zoology, London 198, 237–247.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Eisner, T., Kriston, I., and Aneshansley, D. J. (1976) Defensive behavior of a termite (Nasutitermes exitiosus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 1, 83125.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ettershank, G., Ettershank, A., and Whitford, W. G. (1980) Location of food sources by subterranean termites. Environmental Entomology 9, 645–648.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Fittkau, E.J. and Klinge, H. (1973) On biomass and trophic structure of the central Amazonian rain forest ecosystem. Biotropica 5, 2–14.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Franks, N. R., and Fletcher, C. R. (1983) Spatial patterns in army ant foraging and migration: Eciton

    Google Scholar 

  33. burchelli on Barro Colorado, Panama. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 12 261–270.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Franks, N. R., et al. (1991) The blind leading the blind in army ant raid patterns: Testing a model of self-organization (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Insect Behavior 4, 583–607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Garnier-Sillam, E. (1983) Le polyethisme chez Reticulitermes lucifugus santonensis (IsopteraRhinotermitidae). A Differences d’activites des ouvriers en fonction des stades. Insectes Sociaux 30, 926.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Gamier-Sillam, E. (1983) Contribution à l’etude du comportement individuel de prospection et de recrutement lors de la recherche de nourriture chez les ouvriers. Insectes Sociaux 30, 27–44.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Gerber, C. (1986) Bedeutung der Termite Macrotermes bellicosus beim Abbau von totem pflanzlichem Material in Kokosplantagen. Thesis, University of Bern, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Gerber, C., Badertscher, S. and Leuthold, R.H. (1988) Polyethism in Macrotermes bellicosus. Insectes Sociaux 35, 226–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Goldberg, J. (1983) Construction et apprentissage social chez le Termite lucifuge Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi). Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Zoologie, Paris 5, 181–206.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Gordon, D. (1996) The organization of work in social insect colonies. Nature 380, 121–124.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Grace, J. K., Wood, D. L., and Frankie, G. W. (1989) Trail-following behavior of Reticulitermes hesperus Banks (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae). Journal of Chemical Ecology 14, 653–667.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Hall, P. and Traniello, J.F.A. (1985) Behavioral bioassays of termite trail pheromones. Recruitment and orientation effects of cembrene-A in Nasutitermes costalis (Isoptera: Termitidae) and discussion of factors affecting termite response in experimental contexts. Journal of Chemical Ecology 11, 1503–1573.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Haverty, M. I. and Nutting, W. L. (1975a) Natural wood preferences of desert termites. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 68, 533–536.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Haverty, M. I. and Nutting, W. L. (1975b) Density, dispersion, and composition of desert termite foraging populations and their relationship to superficial dead wood. Environmental Entomology 4, 480–486.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Heidecker, J. L., and Leuthold, R. H. (1984) The organisation of collective foraging in the harvester termite Hodotermes mossambicus (Isoptera). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 14, 195–202.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Higashi, M., Abe, T., and Burns, T. P. (1992) Carbon-nitrogen balance and termite ecology. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B 249, 303–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Higashi, M., et al. (1991) Why don’t all termite species have a sterile worker caste? Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B 246, 25–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Hinze, B. (1998) Polyethismus im Nest der Termite Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman) (Isoptera: Termitidae) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Königinszelle. Thesis, University of Bern, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  49. HolIdobler, B., and Wilson, E. O. (1990) The Ants. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    Google Scholar 

  50. Howard, R., Matsumura, F., and Coppel, H. C. (1976) Trail-following pheromones of the Rhinotermitidae: approaches to their authenticity and specificity. Journal of Chemical Ecology 2, 147–166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Howse, P. E. (1984) Semiochemicals of termites. In: Chemical Ecology of Insects ( W. J. Bell and R. T. Carde, Eds.), pp. 475–519, Sinauer, Sunderland, Massachusetts.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Husseneder, C., et al. (1998) Variation between and within colonies in a termite: morphology, genomic DNA and behaviour. Molecular Ecology, 7, 983–990.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Jander, R. and Danner, K. (1974) Guide-line and gravity orientation of blind foraging termites foraging in the open (Termitidae: Macrotermes, Hospitalitermes). Insectes Sociaux 21, 45–69.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Jmhasly, P. and Leuthold, R.H. (1999) Intraspecific colony recognition in the termites Macrotermes subhyalinus and Macrotermes bellicosus (Isoptera: Termitidae). Insectes Sociaux, 46, 164–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Jmhasly, P. and Leuthold, R.H. (1997) Intraspezifische Kolonieerkennung bei den Termiten Macrotermes subhyalinus und Macrotermes bellicosus. Proceedings of the International Society for the Study of Social Insectes, German Section 16, 44.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Jmhasly, P. and Leuthold, R.H. (1995) Territorien und Konkurrenz bei Macrotermes subhyalinus und M. bellicosus. Proceedings of the International Society for the Study of Social Insectes, German section 15, 116.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Jmhasly, P. et al. (1998) Aggression and cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in a termite. Zoology 101 Suppl.l 11.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Jones, D. T., and Gathorne-Hardy, F. (1995) Foraging activity of the processional termite Hospitalitermes hospitalis (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) in the rain forest of Brunei, north-west Borneo. Insectes Sociaux 42, 359–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Jones, R. J. (1980) Gallery construction by Nasutitermes costalis: Polyethism and the behavior of individuals. Insectes Sociaux 27, 5–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Jones, S.C., and Trosset, M. W. (1991) Interference competition in desert subterranean termites. Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 6, 83–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Josens, G. (1971) Le renouvellement des meules à champignons construites par quatre Macrotermitinae (Isoptères) des savanes de Lamto-Pacobo (Côte d’Ivoire). Compte Rendus de l’Academie des Sciences, Paris 272, 3329–3332.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Kaib, M. (1987) Frontal gland secretion and colony defence in termites: evolutionary aspects. In: Chemistry and Biology of Social Insects ( J. Eder and H. Rembold, Eds.), pp. 406–407, J. Peperny Verlag, Munich, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Kaib, M., Bruinsma, O., and Leuthold, R.H. (1982) Trail-following in termites: evidence for a multicomponent system. Journal of Chemical Ecology 8, 1193–1205.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Kaib, M., et al. (1996) Kin-biased foraging in a termite. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B 263, 1527–1532.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Kalshoven, L.G.E. (1958) Observations on the black termites, Hospitalitermes spp., of Java and Sumatra. Insectes Sociaux 5, 9–30.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Karlson, P., Luscher, M., and Hummel, H. (1968). Extraktion und biologische Auswertung des Spurpheromones der Termite Zootermopsis nevadensis. Journal of Insect Physology 14, 17631771.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Kettler, R. (1995) Inter-and intraspecific alarm in the termite Macrotermes subhyalinus (Rambur). Insectes Sociaux. 42, 145–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Kettler, R. (1995) Aktivität im Nestumfeld und territoriale Konkurren beider Termiten Macrotermes subhyalinus und Macrotermes bellicosus. Thesis, University of Bern, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Laduguie, N., et al. (1994) Les termites et le dodecatrienol. Actes Colloques des Insectes Sociaux 9, 27–34.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Laduguie, N., et al. (1994) Isolation and identification of (3Z 6Z, SE)- 3,6,8-dodecatrien-1-ol inReticulitermes santonensis Feytaud (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae): Roles in worker trail following and in alate sex-attraction behavior. Journal of Insect Physiology 40, 781–787.

    Google Scholar 

  71. La Fage, J. P. and Nutting, W. L. (1978) Nutrient dynamics of termites. In: Production Ecology of Ants and Termites ( M. V. Brian, Ed.), pp. 165–232, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Lenz, M. (1994) Food resources, colony growth and caste development in wood-feeding termites. In: Nourishment and Evolution in Insect Societies ( J. L. Hunt and C. A. Nalepa, Eds.), pp. 159–210, Westview Press, Boulder.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Leponce, M., Roisin, Y., and Pasteels, J. M. (1997) Structure and dynamics of the arboreal termite community in New Guinean coconut plantations. Biotropica 29: 193–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Leponce, M., Roisin, Y., and Pasteels, J. M. (1996) Intraspecific interactions in a community of arboreal nesting termites (Isoptera: Termitidae). Journal of Insect Behavior 9: 799–817.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Leponce, M., Roisin, Y., and Pasteels, J. M. (1995) Environmental influences on the arboreal nesting termite community in New Guinean coconut plantations. Environmental Entomology 24, 1442–1452.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Leuthold, R. H. (1975) Orientation mediated by pheromones in social insects. In: Pheromones and Defensive Secretions in Social Insects (C. Noirot, P. E. Howse and G. Le Masne, Eds.), pp. 197–211

    Google Scholar 

  77. Proceedings of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects, French Section, Dijon.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Leuthold, R. H. and Bruinsma, O. (1977) Pairing behavior in Hodotermes mossambicus (Isoptera). Psyche 84, 109–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Leuthold, R. H., Bruinsma, O., and Huis, A. van. (1976) Optical and pheromonal orientation and memory for homing distance in the harvester termite Hodotermes mossambicus (Hagen). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 1, 127–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Leuthold, R.H., et al. (1990) The formation of polyethic structures in the termite Macrotermes bellicosus. In: Social Insects and the Environment ( G. K. Veeresh, B. Mallik, and C. A. Viraktamat, Eds.), pp. 389–390, Oxford IBH Publishers, New Dehli.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Levings, S. C., and Adams, E. A. (1984) Intra-and interspecific territoriality in Nasutitermes (Isoptera: Termitidae) in a Panamanian mangrove forest. Journal of Animal Ecology 53, 705–714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Longhurst, C., Johnson, R. A., and Wood, T. G. (1978) Predation by Megaponera foetens (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on termites in the Nigerian southern Guinea savanna Oecologia 32, 101–107.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Longhurst, C., and Howse, P. E. (1979) Foraging, recruitment and emigration in Megaponera foetens (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Nigerian Guinea savanna Insectes Sociaux 26, 204–215.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Lys, J.A. and Leuthold, R.H. (1991) Morphology of the gallery system around the nest and gallery development under experimental conditions in the termite Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman). Insectes Sociaux 38, 63–76.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Lys, J.A. and Leuthold, R.H. (1991) Task-specific distribution of the two worker castes in extranidal activities in Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman): Observation of behaviour during food acquisition. Insectes Sociaux 38, 161–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Matsumura, F., Coppel, H. C., and Tai, A. (1968) Isolation and identification of a termite trail-following pheromone. Nature 219, 963–964

    Google Scholar 

  87. McDowell, P. G. and Oloo, G. W. (1984) Isolation, identification and biological activity of the trail-following pheromone of the termite Trinervitermes bettonianus. Journal of Chemical Ecology 10, 835–851.

    Google Scholar 

  88. McKay, W. P., Blizzard, J. H., Miller, J. J., and Whitford, W. G. (1985) Analysis of above-ground gallery construction by the subterranean termite Gnathamitermes tubiformans (Isoptera: Termitidae). Environmental Entomology 14, 470–474.

    Google Scholar 

  89. McMahan, E.A. (1970) Polyethism in workers of Nasutitermes costalis (Holmgren). Insectes Sociaux 17, 113–120.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Mill, A. E. (1982) Foraging and defensive behavior in Neotropical termites. Dissertation, University of Southampton, England.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Miura, T., and Matsumoto, T. (1998a) Foraging organization of the open-air processional lichen-feeding termite Hospitalitermes (Isoptera, Termitidae) in Borneo. Insectes Sociaux 45, 17–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. Miura, T., and Matsumoto, T. (1998b) Open-air litter foraging in the nasute termite Longipeditermes longipes (Isoptera, Termitidae). Journal of Insect Behavior 11, 179–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. Miura, T., and Matsumoto, T. (1997) Diet and nest material of the processional termite Hospitalitermes, and cohabitation of Termes (Isoptera, Termitidae), on Borneo Island. Insectes Sociaux 44, 267–275.

    Google Scholar 

  94. Miura, T., and Matsumoto, T. (1995) Worker polymorphism and division of labor in the foraging behavior of the black marching termite Hospitalitermes medioflavus on Borneo Island. Naturwissenschaften 82, 564–567.

    Google Scholar 

  95. Miura, T., Roisin, Y., and Matsumoto, T. (1998). Developmental pathways and polyethism of neuter castes in the processional nasute termite Hospitalitermes medioflavus (Isoptera: Termitidae). Zoological Science, 15, 843–848.

    Google Scholar 

  96. Nalepa, C.A. (1994) Nourishment and the origin of termite eusociality. In: Nourishment and Evolution in Insect Societies ( J.L. Hunt and C.A. Nalepa, Eds.), pp. 57–104, Westview Press, Boulder.

    Google Scholar 

  97. Noirot, C. (1992) From wood-to humus-feeding: an important trend in termite evolution. In: Biology and Evolution of Social Insects (J. Billen, Ed.), pp. 107119, University of Leuven Press, Leuven.

    Google Scholar 

  98. Noirot, C. (1952) Les soins et l’alimentation des jeunes chez les termites. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Zoologie, Biologie Animale 14, 405–414.

    Google Scholar 

  99. Nonacs, P. and Dill, L. M. (1991) Mortality risk versus food quality trade-offs in ants: patch use over time. Ecological Entomology 16, 73–80.

    Google Scholar 

  100. Nonacs, P. and Dill, L. M. (1988) Foraging responses of the ant Lasius pallitarsus to food sources with associated mortality. Insectes Sociaux 35: 293–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  101. Nutting, W.L. (1969) Flight and colony foundation. In: Biology of Termites, Vol 1 ( K. Krishna and F. M. Weesner, Eds.), pp. 233–281, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  102. Oloo, G. W. (1981) Specificity of termite trails: analysis of natural trails of Trinervitermes, Macrotermes, and Odontotermes from sympatric populations. Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 29, 162–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  103. Oloo, G. W. and Leuthold, R. H. (1979) The influence of food on trail-laying and recruitment behavior in Trinervitermes bettonianus (Sjost) (Isoptera: Termitidae). Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 26, 267–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  104. O1oo, G.W., and McDowell, P.G. (1982) Interspecific trail following and evidence of similarity of trails of Trinervitermes species from different habitats. Insect Science and Application 3, 157–161.

    Google Scholar 

  105. ster, G. and Wilson, E. O. (1978) Caste and Ecology in the Social Insects. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  106. Pasteels, J. M. (1965) Polyethisme chez les ouvriers de Nasutitermes lujae (Termitidae: Isopteres). Biologia Gabonica 1, 191–205.

    Google Scholar 

  107. Pasteels, J. M. and Bordereau, C. (1998) Releaser pheromones in termites. In: Pheromone Communication in Social Insects ( R. K. Vander Meer, M.D. Breed, M.L. Winston and K.E. Espelie, Eds.), pp. 193–215, Boulder, Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  108. Pearce, M. J., et al. (1990) Intraspecific aggression, colony identity and foraging distances in Sudanese Microtermes spp. (Isoptera: Termitidae: Macrotermitinae). Ecological Entomology 15, 71–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  109. Perry, G. and E. R. Pianka (1997) Animal foraging: past, present and future. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 12, 360–363.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Petersen, R. C. (1984) The chemical composition of wood. In: The Chemistry of Solid Wood ( R. Rowell, Ed.), pp. 58–86, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  111. Prestwich, G. D., Bentley, B. L., and Carpenter, E. J. (1980) Nitrogen sources for Neotropical nasute termites: fixation and selective foraging. Oecologia 46, 397–401.

    Google Scholar 

  112. Redford, K. H. (1987) Ants and termites as food. Patterns of mammalian myrmecophagy. In: Current Mammalogy, Vol. 1. (H. H. Genoways, Ed.), pp 349399.

    Google Scholar 

  113. Reinhard, J., and Kaib, M. (1995) Interaction of pheromones during food exploitation by the termite Schedorhinotermes lamanianus. Physiological Entomology 20, 266–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  114. Reinhard, J., Hertel, H. and Kaib, M. (1997) Systematic search for food in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes santonensis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Insectes Sociaux 44, 147–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  115. Reinhard, J., Hertel, H. and Kaib, M. (1997) Feeding stimulant signal in labial gland secretion of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis. Journal of Chemical Ecology 23, 2371–2381.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. Rissing, S. W. and Wheeler, J. (1976) Foraging responses of Veromessor pergandei to changes in seed production. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 52, 63–72.

    Google Scholar 

  117. Robinson, G. E. (1992) Regulation of division of labor in insect societies. Annual Review of Entomology 37, 637–665.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  118. Robson, S. K., and Traniello, J. F. A. (1999) Key individuals and the organization of labor in ants In: Information Processing in the Social Insects (C. Detrain, J. L. Deneubourg, and J. M. Pasteels, Eds.). in press.

    Google Scholar 

  119. Robson, S.K., et al. (1995) Nonrandom search geometry in subterranean termites. Naturwissenschaften 82: 526–528.

    Google Scholar 

  120. Rosengaus, R.B., and Traniello, J.F.A. (1993) Temporal polyethism in incipient colonies of the termite Zootermopsis angusticollis: a single multiage caste. Journal of Insect Behavior 6, 237–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  121. Rosengaus, R.B., Coates, L., Maxmen, A., and Traniello, J.F.A. (1998) Disease resistance: a benefit of sociality in the dampwood termite Zootermopsis angusticollis. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 44, 125–1’34.

    Google Scholar 

  122. Runcie, C. D. (1987) Behavioral evidence for multicomponent trail pheromone in the termite Reticulitermes flavipes. Journal of Chemical Ecology 9, 1967–1978.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  123. Schedel, A. and Kaib, M. (1987) Polyethism during foraging in Schedorhinotermes lamanianus in unprotected areas: the role of exocrine glands. In: Chemistry and Biology of Social Insects ( J. Eder and H. Rembold, Ed.), p. 416, J. Peperny Verlag, Munich.

    Google Scholar 

  124. Shellman-Reeve, J. S. (1997) The spectrum of eusociality in termites. In: The Evolution of Social Behavior in Insects and Arachnids ( J. C. Choe and B. J. Crespi, Eds.), pp. 52–93, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  125. Shellman-Reeve, J. S. (1994) Limiting nutrient availability: nest preference, competition, cooperative nest defense. Journal of Animal Ecology 63, 921–932.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  126. Shelton, T. G. and Grace, J. K. (1996) Review of agonistic behaviours in the Isoptera. Sociobiology 28, 155–176.

    Google Scholar 

  127. Smythe, R. V. and Carter, F. L. (1970) Feeding responses to sound wood by Coptotermes formosanus, Reticulitermes flavipes, and R. virginicus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 63, 841–847.

    Google Scholar 

  128. Smythe, R. V. and Williams, L. H. (1972) Feeding and survival of two subterranean termites species at constant temperatures. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 65, 226–229.

    Google Scholar 

  129. Steiner, H. (1984) Untersuchungen zur altersabhängigen Veränderung der Speicheldrüsen bei Macroterme-Arbeitern. Thesis, University of Bern, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  130. Stephens, D. W. and Krebs, J. R. (1986) Foraging Theory. Princeton University Press, Princeton., New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  131. Stuart, A. M. (1981) The role of pheromones in the initiation of foraging, recruitment, and defense by soldiers of a tropical termite Nasutitermes corniger Motschulsky. Chemical Senses 6, 409–420.

    Google Scholar 

  132. Stuart, A. M. (1969) Social behavior and communication. In: Biology of Termites, Vol. 1. ( K. Krishna and F. M. Weesner, Eds.), pp. 193–232, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  133. Sugio, K. (1997) Trunk trail foraging of the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes carbonarius (Hagen) in southeastern Thailand. In: Biology and Ecology of Termites (N. Kirtibutr and T. Abe, Eds. ), pp. 83–94.

    Google Scholar 

  134. Tayasu, I., Abe, T., Eggleton, P., and Bignell, D. E. (1997) Nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in termites: an indicator of trophic habit along the gradient from wood-feeding to soil-feeding. Ecological Entomology 22, 343–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  135. Thorne, B. L. (1997) Evolution of eusociality in termites. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 28, 27–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  136. Thorne, B. L. (1982) Termite-termite interactions: workers as an agonistic caste. Psyche 89, 133–150.

    Google Scholar 

  137. Thorne, B. L. and Haverty, M. I. (1991) A review of intracolony, inteaspecific, and interspecific agonism in termites. Sociobiology 19, 115–145.

    Google Scholar 

  138. Tokoro, M., Takahashi, M., and Yamoaka, R. (1992) Identification of the trail pheromone of the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Mokuzai Gakaishi 38, 294–300.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  139. Tokoro, M., Takahashi, M., Tsunoda, K., Yamoaka, R., and Hayashiya, K. (1991) Isolation and identification of the trail pheromone of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe). Wood Research 78, 1–14.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  140. Traniello, J.F.A. (1989) Foraging strategies of ants. Annual Review of Entomology 34, 191–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  141. Traniello, J.F.A. (1982) Recruitment and orientation components in a termite trail pheromone. Naturwissenschaften 69, 343–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  142. Traniello, J.F.A. (1981) Enemy deterrence in the recruitment strategy of a termite: soldier-organized foraging in Nasutitermes costalis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 78, 1976–1979.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  143. Traniello, J.F.A. and Beshers, S.N. (1985) Species-specific alarm/recruitment responses in a Neotropical termite. Naturwissenschaften 72, 491–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  144. Traniello, J.F.A. and Busher, C. (1985) Chemical regulation of foraging in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes costalis. Journal of Chemical Ecology 11, 319–332.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  145. Traniello, J.F.A., and Robson, S. (1995) Trail and territorial pheromones in the social insects. In: Chemical Ecology of Insects, Vol. II ( W.J. Bell and R. Carde, Eds.), pp. 241–285, Chapman and Hall, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  146. Traniello, J.F.A., and Rosengaus, R.B. (1997) Ecology, evolution, and division of labour in social insects. Animal Behaviour 53, 209–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  147. Traniello, J.F.A., Thome, B.L. and Prestwich, G.D. (1984) Chemical composition and efficacy of the cephalic gland secretion of Armitermes chagresi. Journal of Chemical Ecology 10, 531–543.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  148. Usher, M. B. (1975) Studies on a wood-feeding termite community in Ghana, West Africa. Biotropica 7, 217–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  149. Usher, M. B. (1974) Runway building and food exploration strategy of Pseudacanthotermes militaris (Insects: Isoptera). Biotropica 6, 154–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  150. Vander Meer, R.K., Alvarez, F., and Lofgren, C.S. (1988) Isolation of the trail recruitment pheromone of Solenopsis invicta. Journal of Chemical Ecology 14, 825–838.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  151. Vander Meer, R.K., Lofgren, C.S., and Alvarez, F.M. (1990) The orientation inducer pheromone of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta. Physiological Entomology 15, 483–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  152. Waller, D. A. (1991) Feeding by Reticulitermes spp. Sociobiology 19, 91–99.

    Google Scholar 

  153. Waller, D. A. (1988) Host selection in subterranean termites: factors affecting choice. Sociobiology 14, 513.

    Google Scholar 

  154. Waller, D. A. and La Fage, J. P. (1987) Nutritional ecology of termites. In: Nutritional Ecology of Insects, Mites, and Spiders ( F. Slansky, Jr. and J. G. Rodriguez, Eds.), pp. 487–532, Wiley and Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  155. Wa11er, D. A. and La Fage, J. P. (1987) Food quality and foraging response by the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research 77, 417–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  156. Waller, D. A., Breitenbeck, G. A., and La Fage, J. P. (1989) Variation in acetylene reduction by Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) related to colony source and termite size. Sociobiology 16, 191–196.

    Google Scholar 

  157. Watson, J. A. L. and McMahan, E. A. (1978) Polyethism in the Australian harvester termite Drepanotermes (Isoptera, Termitinae). Insectes Sociaux 25, 53–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  158. Wilson, D. S. and Clark, A. B. (1977) Above ground predator defense in the harvester termite, Hodotermes mossambicus (Hagen). Journal of the Entomological Society of South Africa 40, 271–282.

    Google Scholar 

  159. Wilson, E. 0. (1980) Caste and division of labor in leaf-cutter ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Atta), I. The overall pattern in A. sexdens. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 7, 143–156.

    Google Scholar 

  160. Wilson, E. 0. (1971) The Insect Societies. Belknap Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

    Google Scholar 

  161. Wolfrum, U., and Kaib, M. (1988) Kastenspezifisches verhalten der termite Schedorhinotermes lamanianus und dessen beziehung zu unterschieden in ultrastruktur, hauftigkeit und topographie antennaler sensillen. Mitt. Dtsch. Ges. Allg. Angew. Ent. 6, 86–90.

    Google Scholar 

  162. Wood, T. G. (1978) Food and feeding habits of termites. In: Production Ecology of Ants and Termites ( M. V. Brian, Ed.), pp. 245–292, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA

    James F. A. Traniello

  2. Abteilung Neurobiologie, Universität Bern, CH-3012, Bern, Erlachstrasse 9a, Switzerland

    Reinhard H. Leuthold

Authors
  1. James F. A. Traniello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Reinhard H. Leuthold
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, 520-2113, Kamitanakami-Hirano, Otsu, Japan

    Takuya Abe  & Masahiko Higashi  & 

  2. School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London, E1 4NS, London, UK

    David Edward Bignell

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Traniello, J.F.A., Leuthold, R.H. (2000). Behavior and Ecology of Foraging in Termites. In: Abe, T., Bignell, D.E., Higashi, M. (eds) Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3223-9_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3223-9_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5476-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-3223-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation