Trailing behavior was investigated in three native termite species: Cryptotermes cavifrons, Neotermes castaneus and Reticulitermes flavipes. Responses of Reticulitermes flavipes workers and alates to different caste extracts were also investigated. Hexane extracts from live termites were used as a source of trailing pheromones. Groups of termites were tested at multiple concentrations of extract. Response was measured as the average distance a trail was followed. Cryptotermes cavifrons workers were completely unresponsive to all extracts. The other two species were most responsive to their own species extracts. Reticulitermes flavipes alates were highly responsive to extracts from any caste. Workers were responsive to alate extracts. In groups of Reticulitermes flavipes workers tested twice under identical conditions, the responses were significantly lower during the second test.
Species 1: Isoptera Rhinotermitidae Reticulitermes flavipes (eastern subterranean termite)
Species 2: Isoptera Kalotermitidae Neotermes castaneus (southern dampwood termite)
Species 3: Isoptera Kalotermitidae Cryptotermes cavifrons
Keywords: termite, behavior
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