Chemical communication in isoptera

Abstract

Edited by José Maurício Simões Bento -ESALQ/USPNeotropical Entomology 38(1): 001-006 (2009) Comunicação Química em Isoptera RESUMO -Os semioquímicos dos cupins têm sido pouco estudados quando comparados aos de formigas e abelhas. Um dos fatores limitantes é o hábito críptico dos térmitas, aliado à difi culdade de manutenção de muitas espécies em laboratório. Entre os semioquímicos de Isoptera destacam-se os feromônios sexuais, de trilha, de alarme e uma mistura complexa de substâncias responsável pelo reconhecimento dos companheiros de ninho. Apesar de os semioquímicos dos cupins serem pouco conhecidos, os dados disponíveis indicam uma estratégia de parcimônia feromonal na comunicação química desses insetos, ou seja, algumas vezes o mesmo composto é secretado por diferentes glândulas, diferentes espécies e para diferentes funções. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Semioquímico, feromônio de trilha, feromônio de alarme, feromônio sexual, cupimABSTRACT -The semiochemicals produced by termites have been little studied compared to those of ants and bees. Among the limiting factors are the cryptic habits of termites, together with the diffi culty in maintaining many species in the laboratory. The semiochemicals of Isoptera include trail, sex and alarm pheromones and a complex mixture of substances responsible for the recognition of nestmates. Although little is known about the semiochemicals of termites, available data indicate a strategy of pheromonal parsimony in the chemistry communication of these insects, i.e., the same compound is sometimes secreted by different glands, different species and for different functions.

Communication and Social Regulation in Termites

“…In particular, Lower case letters indicate significant differences between species (P < 0.05). From Korb et al (2012) , and some have been entirely dedicated to termite communication (Costa-Leonardo et al 2009;Haifig 2010, 2014). In the most recent book on termites (2011), one chapter on communication, written by Bordereau and Pasteels (2011), was included; it dealt with dispersal and foraging pheromones, which are only one small part of termite recognition systems.…”

Chemical Identification and Ethological Function of Soldier-Specific Secretion in Japanese Subterranean TermiteReticulitermes speratus(Rhinotermitidae)

“…Termites often rely on pheromonal communication because of their blindness. 1) The characteristic head morphology of the soldier termites includes mandibular and frontal glands that are necessary for mechanical and chemical defense. [2][3][4] Soldier frontal glands are located in the head or extend over the abdomen in some genera of Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae families.…”

Nestmate recognition in defense against nest invasion by conspecifics during swarming in a one-piece nesting termite

“…These results show that CC play an important role in the nestmate recognition capacity of soldiers towards dealates of the one-piece termite N. chilensis; such role has been repeatedly shown in separate-piece nesting termites e.g. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

“…[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. Although this role has not yet been described in one-piece termites, we tested the possible involvement of CC in the interaction of soldiers and dealates of N. chilensis.…”