Intercolonial aggression in the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is infrequent and the reasons are still unclear. To study patterns of aggression, individuals were collected from colonies at three locations in New Orleans and one location in Lake Charles, LA. Aggressive behavior between colonies immediately after pairing was monitored for 5 minutes using a video recording system. Mortality was determined after 24 hours and each pairing was replicated 10 times. Very strong aggression was observed between all pairings except one. GC-MS analysis of hexane extracts of workers from each colony indicated quantitative differences but no qualitative differences in hydrocarbon profiles. No correlation existed between quantitative differences and aggression. Genetic analyses using microsatellite markers and partial sequencing of the Cytochrome P450 oxidase gene were conducted. There was no correlation between intercolonial aggression and genetic relatedness. When two colonies showing very strong aggression to each other were placed on the same type of wood, the aggressive behavior was lost within three months. Switching to different wood types reinduced the aggressive behavior. It appears that intercolonial aggression in the Formosan termites may have some genetic predisposition but is manifested through feeding on different wood sources. Ecological significance of these findings will be discussed.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite)
Keywords: agonism
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