Intra- and intercolony interactions between Formosan subterranean termite (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), colonies from New Orleans, Louisiana, were studied in the laboratory. Beginning in 1998, FST colonies in Louis Armstrong Park were characterized using triple-mark recapture studies and their foraging territories defined and monitored. Groups of dyed and undyed termites from each colony were paired with termites from different colonies in a petri dish (forced encounter), in addition to being paired with termites from the same colony. Each pairing was videotaped and any form of agonistic behavior was recorded. Agonistic responses included mandible flares, mandible insertion, biting, fleeing, and chasing or no aggression. Intercolony interactions were further studied by placing groups of termites from two different colonies into two-dimensional foraging arenas to determine if they would mix (choice encounter). Each colony displayed aggression towards at least one other colony in both trials. Intracolony pairings always resulted in no aggression. A few pairings resulted in no aggression during the petri dish trials, but aggression was displayed during the foraging arena trials. These results revealed that there are other recognition mechanisms between different colonies other than agonistic responses. Further details and possible explanations will be discussed.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite)
Keywords: termite aggression, territoriality
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