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Agonistic Behavior of the Termite Prorhinotermes canalifrons (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

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Abstract

While intercolonial and interspecific agonism has been broadly documented in termites, detailed studies of individual behavior and its differentiation among castes are scarce. We studied the responses of non-reproductive castes of Prorhinotermes canalifrons (pseudergates, presoldiers, soldiers of different age and artificial intercastes) to conspecific and heterospecific aliens. Each caste displayed a specific behavioral repertoire. Soldiers, but to a lesser extent pseudergates as well, are responsible for colony defense. The behavioral repertoire of the soldier appears on the second day after exuviation and becomes complete on the third day, well before its defensive secretion is present. The behavior of artificial intercastes induced by a JH analog is intermediate between that of pseudergates and soldiers. Reactions to heterospecific aliens were much quicker and more violent than reactions to conspecifics, which suggests that individuals experience difficulties in identifying conspecific aliens.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support was provided by the Belgian F.R.S.-FNRS (postdoctoral fellowship to J.Š., grant No 2.4597.05). J.Š. and R.H. wish to thank the Czech Science Foundation (project 206/06/1643) and the project Z4 055 0506 realized at IOCB AS CR. Authors declare that all the experiments comply with the current laws of Belgium and the Czech Republic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Team of Infochemicals, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, v.v.i., Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 6, Dejvice, 166 10, Czech Republic

    Jan Šobotník & Robert Hanus

  2. Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), CP 160/12, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium

    Jan Šobotník & Yves Roisin

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  1. Jan Šobotník
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  2. Robert Hanus
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Correspondence to Robert Hanus.

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Šobotník, J., Hanus, R. & Roisin, Y. Agonistic Behavior of the Termite Prorhinotermes canalifrons (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). J Insect Behav 21, 521–534 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-008-9147-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-008-9147-y

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