Interspecific recognition among termites of the genusReticulitermes: Evidence for a role for the cuticular hydrocarbons
- 1 December 1991
- journal article
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Chemical Ecology
- Vol. 17 (12), 2397-2420
- https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00994590
Abstract
Two species of termites,Reticulitermes (lucifugus) grassei andR. (l.) banyulensis, show a high degree of aggressivity toward each other. The epicuticular signature, recognized by contact, can be extracted using organic solvents, and the removal of the signature abolished all types of aggressive behavior. The signature can be transferred to lures, where it triggers interspecies aggression. It was found to be mainly present in the apolar fraction of the cuticular extracts, which contained only hydrocarbons, are determined by GC/MS techniques. Chemical recognition contributes towards isolation of the two species belonging to theR. lucifugus complex.Keywords
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