Reproductive Caste Beats a Hasty Retreat

Fry, Sheena E.; Caravan, Holly; Chapman, Thomas

doi:10.1007/s10905-011-9269-5

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Individuals did not necessarily secrete a droplet at the first encounter either, despite displaying agonistic behaviour (scorpion-like position). Although it should be noted, the proclivity test puts the gall-bound soldiers (Fry et al 2011) unnaturally in the external environment, suggesting that some caution needs to be taken in interpreting these data. In any case, there appears to be little evidence in our study that the droplet produced by K. intermedius soldiers serves as a better direct predator repellent compared with dispersers' droplets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Individuals simply walk while probing the substrate (Fry et al. ). Dispersers, in particular, can be fast and reach the edge of the disc in a few seconds.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A bioassay based on contact chemoreception, adapted from the set‐up developed by Fry et al. (), was used to test for a potentially different function of the droplets between castes. The arena (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If carefully handled, the contact with the paintbrush does not induce the secretion of a droplet (only three insects were disregarded). Individuals simply walk while probing the substrate (Fry et al 2011). Dispersers, in particular, can be fast and reach the edge of the disc in a few seconds.…”

Section: Proclivity To Emit Anal Dropletsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evidence for Caste Differences in Anal Droplet Alarm Pheromone Production and Responses in the Eusocial Thrips Kladothrips intermedius

et al. 2013

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Thrips (Thysanoptera) are tiny insects that produce anal secretions when threatened. Several studies have shown that, depending on the species, the droplets may contain alarm pheromones and/or repellents against enemies. In the eusocial gall‐inducing thrips Kladothrips intermedius both larvae and adults produce such droplets. There are two castes of adults in this species, soldiers (the sub‐fertile and gall‐bound defenders) and dispersers (winged and capable of initiating a gall). We tested the proclivity of secreting anal droplets by the two castes and whether the anal droplets induce different behavioural responses in relation to the emitter–receiver's caste in a contact chemoreception bioassay. Although secretion patterns were similar between castes, exposure to anal droplets emitted by different castes elicited different behavioural responses in adults in the bioassay. When exposed to soldiers’ anal droplets, dispersers significantly reduced the distance moved while soldiers significantly increased the distance moved, compared to when they were exposed to hexane control. In contrast, no differences in the distance moved were observed for any caste when exposed to dispersers’ anal droplets versus hexane control. Increased activity in soldiers when exposed to their own anal droplets is a predicted response to enhance the overall defence of the gall when under threat, whereas dispersers should slow down their activity when exposed to such ‘warning signal’. Thus, the behavioural data indicate that the anal droplets emitted by soldiers are likely to contain an alarm pheromone.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Individuals simply walk while probing the substrate (Fry et al. ). Dispersers, in particular, can be fast and reach the edge of the disc in a few seconds.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Proclivity To Emit Anal Dropletsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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