Research Article | Published: 01 September 2005

Inter and intra-colonial recognition of nest and nest-mates by Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder (Isoptera : Termitidae)

Seema Dhawan, S. C. Mishra and R. B. Singh

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 28 | Issue: 3 | Page No. 301-305 | 2005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2005-W64TDY | Cite this article

Abstract

Each colony of the termite has its own peculiar odour. Every member of the colony recognizes this odour and avoids entering in the nests of others colony. Experiments were made to alter the memory of colony odour of the termite Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder. The memory of colony odour cannot be easily altered, however if slightly reduced by some technique, resulted in the dullness or death of the termites. Colony odour seems to be genetic in origin and environment probably does not play any role in its development.

Keywords

Access Options

250/-

Buy Full Access in HTML Format

Instant access to the full article.

Get access to the full version of this article. Buy Full Access in HTML Format

References

1. Andrew, E.A. (1911). Observation on termites in Jamaica. J.Animal Behaviour, 1 : 193-228.  https://doi.org/10.1037/h0075550

2. Beaumont, J. (1889-1890). Observations on the termitesor white ants of the isthmus of Panama. Trans. N. Y. Acad. Sci., 8: 85 - 114; 9 : 157-180.

Google Scholar

3. Dropkin, V.H. (1946). The use of mixed colonies of termites in the study of host-symbiont relations.J.Parasitol., 32 : 247-51.  https://doi.org/10.2307/3272677

Google Scholar

4. Emerson, A.E. (1929). Communication among termites. Trans 4th Interrn. Congr. Entomol., Ithaca, 2, pp. 722-727.

Google Scholar

5. Emerson, A.E. (1929). Social coordination and the superorganism. Am. Madland Naturalist. 21 : 182 -209.  https://doi.org/10.2307/2420380

Google Scholar

6. Grace, J.K.; Wood, D.L.; Kubo, I. and Kim, M. (1995). Behavioural and chemical investigation of trail pheromone from the termite Reticulitermes Hesperus Banks (Isopt., Rhinotermitidae). J. of Applied Entomology, 119 : 7, 501-505.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.1995.tb01325.x

Google Scholar

7. Karlson, P. and Luscher, M. (1959). “Pheromones”: A new term for a class of biologically active substances. Nature, 183 : 55-56.  https://doi.org/10.1038/183055a0

Google Scholar

8. Lo, C.T.; Ho, F.M.; Lu, Y.; Zheng, Z.L. Deng, X.L.; Du, T.Y. and Li, Z.D. (1988). Application of analogue of the termite trail following pheromone. (11). Trapping and killing termites in dams and woods. Natural Enemies of Insects., 10 : 4, 214-220.

9. Mishra, S.C. (1976). Satellite nests in Nasutitermes dunensis Chatterjee and Thakur. (Isoptera : Termitidae). Material und organismen. Berlin, 11 : 317-18.

Google Scholar

10. Sen-Sarma, P.K. (1983). Some aspects of ecology of termites and resource management Proc. Sym. Ins. Ecol. & Resource Manage., pp. X-XVI.

Google Scholar

11. Sen-Sarma, P.K. and Mishra, S.C. (1972). Colony foundation in Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder by budding (Insecta : Isoptera : Termitidae). Curr. Sci. Bangalore. 4 : 43-48.

Google Scholar

12. Sen-Sarma, P.K.; Thakur, M.L.; Mishra, S.C. and Gupta, B.K. (1975). Wood destroying termites in relation to natural resistance of wood; Final Tech. Report, P.L. 480 Dehra Dun, Viii + 1-187.

13. Stuart, A.M. (1967). Alarm, defense and construction behaviour relationship in termites (Isoptera). Science., 156 : 1123-1125.  https://doi.org/10.1126/science.156.3778.1123

Google Scholar

14. Takahashi, S. and Gassa, A. (1995). Roles of cuticular hydrocarbons in Intra and Interspecific recognition behaviour of two Rhinotermitae species. Journal of Chemical Ecology., 21 : 11, 1837-1845.  https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02033680

Google Scholar

15. Thakur, M.L. and Mishra, S.C. (1996). Laboratory culturing of some Indian wood destroying termites. J. Ent. Res., 20 : 73-82.

Google Scholar

16. Tokoro, M.; Takahashi, M. and Yamaoka, R. (1992). Identification of the trail pheromone of the subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Journal of the Japan Wood Res. Soc., 38 : 3, 294-300.  https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00994249

Google Scholar

17. Tokoro, M.; Yamaoka, R.; Hayashiya, K.; Takahashi, M. and Nishimoto, K. (1992). Evidence for trail- pheromone precursor in termite Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) (Rhinotermitidae: Isoptera). Journal of Chemical Ecology, 16 : 8, 2549-2557.  https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01017477

Google Scholar

18. Verron, H. (1963). Role des stimuli chimiques dans 1’ attraction sociale chez Calotermes flavicollis (Fabr.) theses presentecs a la faculte des Sciences de 1’ universite de Paris, Ser., A, No. 4108 : 167-335. Masson, Paris.  https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223063

Google Scholar

19. Zhong, C.M. and Kuang, D.Z. (1979). The first report of the synthesis and evaluation of a trail-following pheromone for termites. Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 15 : 1, 15-20.

Google Scholar

About this article

How to cite

Dhawan, S., Mishra, S.C. and Singh, R.B., 2005. Inter and intra-colonial recognition of nest and nest-mates by Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder (Isoptera : Termitidae). Indian Journal of Forestry, 28(3), pp.301-305. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2005-W64TDY

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 September 2005

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: