Queen and king recognition in the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes: Evidence for royal recognition pheromones

Funaro, Colin F.; Schal, Coby; Vargo, Edward L.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209810

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Three cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes were identified that corresponded with R. flavipes, one corresponded with R. virginicus, and the remainder corresponded with R. hageni based on soldiers. Haverty et al [8,17] [23,56,[58][59][60][61]. The identification of CHCs from samples taken in surveys of Reticulitermes from Georgia, California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico provides evidence that there are numerous undescribed species or species complexes of Reticulitermes in North America [18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Ecology, Detection and Identification of Subterranean Termites Based on Electronic-Nose Volatile Emissions Analysis

Wilson,

Forse

2024

Environments

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The effective monitoring and identification of existing subterranean termite populations within coarse woody debris and infested wood in service depend on accurate detection. These insects are often concealed within logs, wooden support structures, walls, and floorboards of buildings. In the absence of external mud tubes, termite infestations normally must be discovered through the destructive exploration of wooden structures to reveal the physical presence of these insect pests. Subterranean termite species are difficult to identify due to similarities in morphological features, but they may be readily distinguished by differences in volatile emissions from which they are divided into chemotaxonomic groups. Consequently, a more effective and nondestructive approach for detection and identification is to take advantage of unique species-specific emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from termite bodies which easily pass through wooden structures, allowing for detection without physical damage to wood and avoiding expensive DNA analysis. Electronic aroma detection analyses were conducted with an Aromascan A32S electronic-nose (e-nose) instrument, fitted with a 32-sensor conducting polymer (CP) sensor array, for discrimination between four common subterranean termite species based on differences in volatile emissions. Principal component analysis (PCA) of whole-body volatiles effectively distinguished between four termite species with the first two principal components accounting for more than 98% of sample variance (p < 0.01). Unique electronic aroma signature patterns (smellprints) were produced from e-nose sensor array outputs that allowed for the effective identification of termite species based on distinct differences in volatile metabolites released from their bodies. The e-nose methods were determined to be an improved means for rapidly detecting and monitoring termite species in wood. The method is cheaper than conventional detection methods and allows for the timelier discovery of species-specific termite infestations necessary for better management. The e-nose capability of detecting the Formosan termite in indoor living spaces was particularly significant due to the production of naphthalene, a volatile hazardous gas causing many adverse human health effects in enclosed environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Ecology, Detection and Identification of Subterranean Termites Based on Electronic-Nose Volatile Emissions Analysis

Wilson,

Forse

2024

Environments

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“…We only used peaks occurring in at least 10 samples (= 48 compounds). Compound identifications were compared with CHC data from previous studies on R. flavipes 37 , 40 , 72 , 73 . Overall, 26 peaks were identified and 22 remained unknown.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The presence of this compound was investigated in neotenics, but not imagoes of this species. This compound elicits lateral and longitudinal shaking behaviors by workers and soldiers, which are usually performed in proximity of the queen and king 37 , 38 . Another royal pheromone was identified in R. speratus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distinct chemical blends produced by different reproductive castes in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes

Eyer

Salin

Helms

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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The production of royal pheromones by reproductives (queens and kings) enables social insect colonies to allocate individuals into reproductive and non-reproductive roles. In many termite species, nestmates can develop into neotenics when the primary king or queen dies, which then inhibit the production of additional reproductives. This suggests that primary reproductives and neotenics produce royal pheromones. The cuticular hydrocarbon heneicosane was identified as a royal pheromone in Reticulitermes flavipes neotenics. Here, we investigated the presence of this and other cuticular hydrocarbons in primary reproductives and neotenics of this species, and the ontogeny of their production in primary reproductives. Our results revealed that heneicosane was produced by most neotenics, raising the question of whether reproductive status may trigger its production. Neotenics produced six additional cuticular hydrocarbons absent from workers and nymphs. Remarkably, heneicosane and four of these compounds were absent in primary reproductives, and the other two compounds were present in lower quantities. Neotenics therefore have a distinct ‘royal’ blend from primary reproductives, and potentially over-signal their reproductive status. Our results suggest that primary reproductives and neotenics may face different social pressures. Future studies of these pressures should provide a more complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying social regulation in termites.

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“…The pheromone elicits strong royal recognition behaviors (antennation and shaking of the body) in both workers and soldiers that come into contact with it (Funaro et al, 2018). Even when the pheromone is combined with foreign workers' CHCs, the royal recognition behaviors are elicited both in workers and soldiers (Funaro et al, 2019). However, these studies analyzed the CHC profiles of the neotenic kings and queens but not of the primary ones, i.e., adult reproductives.…”

Section: Royal Recognition Pheromonesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Termite Pheromones: Multifaceted, Context-Dependent, and Rational Chemical Communications

Mitaka

Akino

2021

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Termite colonies, composed of large numbers of siblings, develop an important caste-based division of labor; individuals in these societies interact via intra- or intercaste chemical communications. For more than 50 years, termites have been known to use a variety of pheromones to perform tasks necessary for maintenance of their societies, similar to eusocial hymenopterans. Although trail-following pheromones have been chemically identified in various termites, other types of pheromones have not been elucidated chemically or functionally. In the past decade, however, chemical compositions and biological functions have been successfully identified for several types of termite pheromones; accordingly, the details of the underlying pheromone communications have been gradually revealed. In this review, we summarize both the functions of all termite pheromones identified so far and the chemical interactions among termites and other organisms. Subsequently, we argue how termites developed their sophisticated pheromone communication. We hypothesize that termites have diverted defensive and antimicrobial substances to pheromones associated in caste recognition and caste-specific roles. Furthermore, termites have repeatedly used a pre-existing pheromone or have added supplementary compounds to it in accordance with the social context, leading to multifunctionalization of pre-existing pheromones and emergence of new pheromones. These two mechanisms may enable termites to transmit various context-dependent information with a small number of chemicals, thus resulting in formation of coordinated, complex, and rational chemical communication systems.

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Queen and king recognition in the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes: Evidence for royal recognition pheromones

Cited by 11 publications

References 49 publications

Chemical Ecology, Detection and Identification of Subterranean Termites Based on Electronic-Nose Volatile Emissions Analysis

Chemical Ecology, Detection and Identification of Subterranean Termites Based on Electronic-Nose Volatile Emissions Analysis

Distinct chemical blends produced by different reproductive castes in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes

A Review of Termite Pheromones: Multifaceted, Context-Dependent, and Rational Chemical Communications

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