Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interspecific recognition among termites of the genusReticulitermes: Evidence for a role for the cuticular hydrocarbons

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Two species of termites,Reticulitermes (lucifugus) grassei andR. (l.) banyulensis, show a high degree of aggressivity toward each other. The epicuticular signature, recognized by contact, can be extracted using organic solvents, and the removal of the signature abolished all types of aggressive behavior. The signature can be transferred to lures, where it triggers interspecies aggression. It was found to be mainly present in the apolar fraction of the cuticular extracts, which contained only hydrocarbons, are determined by GC/MS techniques. Chemical recognition contributes towards isolation of the two species belonging to theR. lucifugus complex.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bagnères, A.G. 1989. Les Hydrocarbures Cuticulaires des Insectes Sociaux. Détermination et Rôle dans la Reconnaissance Spécifique Coloniale et Individuelle. Thèse de Doctorat de l'Université P. et M. Curie. 250 pp.

  • Bagnères, A.G., Clément, J.L., Lange, C., andJoulie, C. 1988. Les hydrocarbures cuticulaires desReticulitermes français: Variations spécifiques et coloniales.Actes Coll. Ins. Soc. 4:34–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagnères, A.G., andMorgan, E.D. 1991. The postpharyngeal glands and the cuticle of Formicidae contain the same characteristic hydrocarbons.Experientia 47:106–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagnères, A.G., Clément, J.L., Blum, M.S., Severson, R.F., Joulie, C., andLange, C. 1990. Cuticular hydrocarbons and defensive compounds ofReticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) andR. santonensis (Feytaud): Polymorphism and chemotaxonomy.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:3213–3244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagnères, A.G., Errard, C., Mulheim, C., Joulie, C., andLange, C. 1991. Induced mimicry of colony odors in ants.J. Chem. Ecol. 17:1641–1664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomquist, G.J., andJackson, L.L. 1976. Insect waxes, pp. 201–233,in P.E. Kolattukudy (ed.). Chemistry and Biochemistry. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomquist, G.J., Howard, R.W., andMcDaniel, C.A. 1979. Structure of the cuticular hydrocarbons of the termiteZootermopsis angusticollis (Hagen).Insect Biochem. 9:365–370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomquist, G.J., Howard, R.W., McDaniel, C.A., Remaley, S., Dwyer, L.A., andNelson, D.R. 1980. Application of methoxymercuration-demercuration followed by mass spectrometry as a convenient microanalytical technique for double-bond location in insect-derived alkenes.J. Chem. Ecol. 6:257–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomquist, G.J., Nelson, D.R., andde Renobales, M. 1987. Chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology of insect cuticular lipids.Arch. Ins. Biochem. Physiol. 6:227–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, M.S. 1987. Specificity of pheromonal signals: A search for its recognitive bases in terms of a unified chemisociality, pp. 401–405,in J. Peperny (ed.). Chemistry and Biology of Social Insects, Verlag, München.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonavita-Cougourdan, A., Clément, J.L., andLange, C. 1987. Nestmate recognition: The role of cuticular hydrocarbons in the antCamponotus vagus.J. Entomol. Sci. 22:1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonavita-Cougourdan, A., Clément, J.L., andLange, C. 1989. The role of cuticular hydrocarbons in recognition of larvae by workers of the antCamponotus vagus: Changes in the chemical signature in response to social environment (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Sociobiology 16:49–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, W.V., Watson, J.A.L., Carter, F.L., Lacey, M.J., Barett, R.A., andMcDaniel, C.A. 1990. Preliminary examination of cuticular hydrocarbons of worker termites as chemotaxonomic characters for some australian species ofCoptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).Sociobiology 16:305–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, D.A., andService, M.W. 1980. Identification of mosquitoes ofAnopheles gambiae species complex A and B by analysis of cuticular components.Science 207:1089–1091.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castner, J.L., andNation, J.L. 1986. Cuticular lipids for species recognition of mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae): II.Scapteriscus abbreviatus, S. acletus, S. vicinus, S. sp., andNeocurtilla hexadactyla.Arch. Ins. Biochem. Physiol. 3:127–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clément, J.L. 1978. L'agression interspécifique et intraspécifique des espèces françaises du genreReticulitermes (Isoptère).C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 286:351–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clément, J.L. 1981a. Comportement de reconnaissance individuelle dans le genreReticulitermes (Isoptera).C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 292:931–933.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clément, J.L. 1981b. Autoécologie, distance phénotypiques et génétiques entre population des termites du complexeReticulitermes lucifugus.Vie Milieu 31:261–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clément, J.L. 1982. Signaux de contact responsables de l'agression interspécifique des termites du genreReticulitermes (Isoptères).C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 294:635–638.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clément, J.L. 1986. Open and closed societies inReticulitermes termites (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae): Geographic and seasonal variations.Sociobiology 11:311–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clément, J.L., Lange, C., Blum, M.S., Howard, R.W., andLloyd, H. 1985. Chimosystematique du genreReticulitermes (Isoptères) aux U.S.A. et en Europe.Actes Coll. Ins. Soc. 2:123–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clément, J.L., Howard, R.W., Blum, M.S., andLloyd, H. 1986. L'isolement spécifique des termites du genreReticulitermes (Isoptera) du sud-est des Etats-Unis. Mise en évidence grâce à la chimie et au comportement d'une espèce jumelle deR. virginicus=R. malletei sp. nov. et d'une semi-espèce deR. flavipes.C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 302:67–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clément, J.L., Lemaire, M., Nagnan, P., Escoubas, P., Baonères, A.G., andJoulie, C. 1988. Chemical ecology of European termites of the genusReticulitermes: Allomones, pheromones and kairomones.Sociobiology 14:165–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbara, B., andErrard, C. 1991. The organisation of artificial heterospecific ant colonies. The case ofManica rubida/Formica selysi (Myrmicinae, Formicinae) association: Mixed colony or parallel colonies.Behav. Proc. 23:75–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espelie, K.E., andHermann, H.R. 1988. Congruent cuticular hydrocarbons: Biochemical convergence of a social wasp, an ant and a host plant.Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 16:505–508.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espelie, K.E., Wenzel, J.W., andChang, G. 1990. Surface lipids of social waspPolistes metricus say and its nest and nest pedicel and their relation to nestmate recognition.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:2229–2241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fielde, A.M. 1903. Artificial mixed nests of ants.Biol. Bull. V(6):320–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fielde, A.M. 1904. Power of recognition among ants.Biol. Bull. VII(5):227–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fielde, A.M. 1905. The progressive odor of ants.Biol. Bull. X(1):1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franks, N., Blum, M.S., Smith, R.K., andAllies, A.B. 1990. Behavior and chemical disguise of cuckoo antLeptothorax kutteri in relation to its host.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:1431–1444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, J. 1971. Mise en évidence du transport d'eau par le termite de Saintonge.C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 272:2820–2822.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grunshawn, J.P., Guermouche, H., Guermouche, S., Jago, N.D., Jullien, R., Knowles, E., andPerez, F. 1990. Chemical taxonomic studies of cuticular hydrocarbons in locusts of theSchistocerca americana complex: Chemical relationships between New World and Old World species.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:2835–2858.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guille-Escuret, G. 1981. Contribution à la sociologie du genreReticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhino-termitidae) en charente-maritime. Thèse de Doctorat 3ème cycle, U.P.M.C.

  • Haverty, M.I., andThorne, B.L. 1989. Agonistic behavior correlated with hydrocarbon pheno-types in dampwood termites,Zootermopsis (Isoptera: Termopsidae).J. Ins. Behav. 2:523–543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haverty, M.I., Page, M., Nelson, L.J., andBlomquist, G.J. 1988. Cuticular hydrocarbons of dampwood termites,Zootermopsis: Intra- and intercolony variation and potential as taxonomic characters.J. Chem. Ecol. 14:1035–1058.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haverty, M.I., Nelson, L.J., andPage, M. 1990a. Cuticular hydrocarbons of four populations ofCoptotermes formosanus Shiraki in the United States: Similarities and origins of introductions.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:1635–1647.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haverty, M.I., Thorne, B.L., andPage, M. 1990b. Surface hydrocarbon components of two species ofNasutitermes from Trinidad.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:2441–2450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haverty, M.I., Nelson, L.J., andPage, M. 1991. Preliminary investigations of the cuticular hydrocarbons from North AmericanReticulitermes and tropical and subtropicalCoptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) for chemostaxonomic studies.Sociobiology. 19:51–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haverty, M.I.,Nelson, L.J.,Thorne, B.L.,Collins, M.S.,Darlington, J., andPage, M. Cuticular hydrocarbons for species determination of tropical termites. Submitted.

  • Henderson, G., Andersen, J.F., Phillips, J.K. andJeanne, R.L. 1990. Internest aggression and identification of possible nestmate discrimination pheromones in polygynous antFormica montana.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:2217–2228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hölldobler, B., andCarlin, N.F. 1987. Anonymity and specificity in the chemical communication signals of social insects.J. Comp. Physiol. 161A:567–581.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoppes, K.L., Dillwith, J.W., Wright, R.E., andSzumlas, D.E. 1990. Identification of horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) by analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons.J. Med. Entomol. 27:481–486.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., McDaniel, C.A., Nelson, D.R., andBlomquist, G.J. 1980a. Chemical ionization mass spectrometry: Application to insect-derived cuticular alkanes.J. Chem. Ecol., 6:609–623.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., andBlomquist, G.J. 1982. Chemical ecology and biochemistry of insect hydrocarbons.Annu. Rev. Entomol. 27:149–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., McDaniel, C.A., andBlomquist, G.J. 1978. Cuticular hydrocarbons of the eastern subterranean termite,Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 4:233–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., McDaniel, C.A., andBlomquist, G.J. 1980b. Chemical mimicry as an integrating mechanism: Cuticular hydrocarbons of a termitophile and its host.Science 210:431–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., McDaniel, C.A., andBlomquist, G.J. 1982a. Chemical mimicry as an integrating mechanism for three termitophiles associated withReticulitermes virginicus.Psyche 89:157–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., McDaniel, C.A., Nelson, D.R., Blomquist, G.J., Gelbaum, andZalkow, L.H. 1982b. Cuticular hydrocarbons ofReticulitermes virginicus (Bank) and their role as potential species- and caste-recognition cues.J. Chem. Ecol. 8:1227–1239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., Thorne, B.L., Levings, S.C., andMcDaniel, C.A. 1988. Cuticular hydrocarbons as chemotaxonomic characters forNasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) andN. ephratae (Holmgren) (Isoptera: Termitidae).Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 81:395–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., Akre, R.D., andGarnett, W.B. 1990a. Chemical mimicry in an obligate predator of carpenter ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 83:607–616.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.W., Stanley-Samuelson, D.W., andAkre, R.D. 1990b. Biosynthesis and chemical mimicry of cuticular hydrocarbons from the obligate predator,Microdon albicomatus Novak (Diptera: Syrphidae) and its ant prey,Myrmica incompleta Provencher (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).J. Kansas Entomol. Soc. 63:437–443.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howse, P.E. 1975. Chemical defences of ants, termites and other insects, some outstanding questions, in pheromones and defensive secretions in social insects. Symposium of the I.U.S.S.I., Dijon, pp. 23–40.

  • Jaffe, K. 1980. Chemical communication systems in the antAtta cephalotes, in Social Insects on the Tropics, Vol. 2, pp. 165–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Killian, A. 1989. Etude Comportementale de l'agression interspécifique desReticulitermes (Isoptères). Mémoire de Diplome d'Etude Approfondie. 51 pp.

  • Lange, C., Basselier, J.J., Bagnères, A.G., Escoubas, P., Lemaire, M., Lenoir, A., Clement, J.L., Bonavita-Cougourdan, A., Trabalon, M., andCampan, M. 1989. Strategy for the analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons waxes from insects using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with electron impact and chemical ionization.Biomed. Env. Mass Spec. 18:787–800.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockey, K.H. 1988. Lipids of the insect cuticule: Origin, composition and function.Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 89B:595–645.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockey, K.H. 1991. Cuticular hydrocarbons of adultOnymacris bicolor (Haag) andOnymacris boschimana (Péringuey) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 98B:151–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockey, K.H. andMetcalfe, N.B. 1988. Cuticular hydrocarbons of adultHimatismus species and a comparison with 21 other species of adult tenebrionid beetle using multivariate analysis.Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 91B:371–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luytens, I. 1982. Variations intraspécifiques et interspécifiques des hydrocarbures cuticulaires chezDrosophila simulons et des espèces affines.C.R. Acad. Sci. 295:733–736.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morel, L., Vander Meer, R.K., andLavine, B.K. 1988. Ontogeny of nestmate recognition cues in the red carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus).Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 22:175–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nel, J.J.C. 1968. Aggressive behaviour of the harvester termitesHodotermes mossambicus (Hagen) andTrinervitermes trinervoides (Sjöstedt).Ins. Soc. 15:145–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, D.R., andCarlson, D.A. 1986. Cuticular hydrocarbons of the tsetse fliesGlossina morsitans morsitans, G. austeni andG. pallidipes.Insect Biochem. 16:403–416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, D.R., Carlson, D.A., andFatland, C.L. 1988. Cuticular hydrocarbons of tsetse flies II:Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, G. palpalis palpalis, G. p. gambiensis, G. tachinoides, andG. brevipaldis.J. Chem. Ecol. 14:963–987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nowbahari, E., Lenoir, A., Clément, J.L., Lange, C., Bagnères, A.G., andJoulie, C. 1990. Individual, geographical and experimental variation of cuticular hydrocarbons of the antCataglyphis cursor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Their use in nest and subspecies recognition.Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 18:63–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obin, M.S. 1986. Nestmate recognition cues in laboratory and field colonies ofSolenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Effect of environment and role of cuticular hydrocarbons.J. Chem. Ecol. 12:1965–1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Page, M., Nelson, L.J., Haverty, M.I., andBlomquist, G.J. 1990. Cuticular hydrocarbons of eight species of North American cone beetles,Conophthorus Hopkins.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:1173–1198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plattner, R.D., Spencer, G.F., andKleinan, R. 1976. Double bond location in polyenoic fatty esters through partial oxymercuration.Lipids 11:222–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomonis, J.G., Hakk, H., andFatland, C.L. 1989. Synthetic methyl- and dimethylalkanes: Kovats Indices, [13C]NMR and mass spectra of some methylpentacosanes and 2,X-dimethyl-heptacosanes.J. Chem. Ecol. 15:2319–2333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, K.G., Vander Meer, R.K., Fletcher, D.J.C., andVargo, E.J. 1987. Biochemical phenotypic and genetic studies of two introduced fire ants and their hybrid (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Evolution 41:280–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Springhetti, A., andAmorelli, M. 1982. Competitive behavior between two species of Isoptera:Kalotermes flavicolli (Kalotermitidae) andReticulitermes lucifugus (Rhinotermitidae).Sociobiology 7:155–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorne, B.L. 1982. Termite-termite interactions: Workers as an agonistic caste.Psyche 89:133–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vander Meer, R.K., Lofgren, C.S., andAlvarez, F.M. 1985. Biochemical evidence for hybridization in fire ants.Florida Entomol. 68:501–506.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigglesworth, V.B. 1933. The physiology of the cuticule and of ecdysis inRhodnius prolixus (Triatomodae, Hemiptera); with special reference to the function of the oenocytes and of the dermal glands.Quart. J. Microsc. Sci. 76:269–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigglesworth, V.B. 1990. The Distribution, function and nature of “cuticulin” in the insect cuticule.J. Ins. Physiol. 36:307–313.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNRS-LNB8, 31, Chemin J. Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France

    Anne-Genevieve Bagneres, Armand Killian & Jean-Luc Clement

  2. Lab. Chimie Org. Structurale, U.P.M.C, 4, Place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France

    Catherine Lange

Authors
  1. Anne-Genevieve Bagneres
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Armand Killian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean-Luc Clement
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Catherine Lange
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bagneres, AG., Killian, A., Clement, JL. et al. Interspecific recognition among termites of the genusReticulitermes: Evidence for a role for the cuticular hydrocarbons. J Chem Ecol 17, 2397–2420 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00994590

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00994590

Key words

Search

Navigation