Effect of termite soldiers on the foraging behavior of Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the presence of predatory ants (original) (raw)

The specialized defensive traits of termite soldiers are thought to have evolved largely in response to attacks by ants. Having a greater proportion of soldiers protecting groups of foraging workers could enable termites to expand their foraging areas and enhance their ability to find new food sources. This study examined the effect of Pheidole megacephala (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Coptotermes Jormosanus Shiraki foraging behavior, and whether the presence of higher numbers of termite soldiers enabled foraging workers to better withstand ant attacks and maintain access to food sourses. We also examined how differences in soldier proportions affected the construction of new galleries by foraging workers in the absence of ants, and examined whether termites with higher numbers of soldiers moved into new areas faster than than groups with fewer soldiers. In the first experiment, ants completely occupied the foraging tube and blocked termite access to their food source after an average of only 2d for groups with 5% soldiers compared to an average of6.7d for groups with 20% soldiers. However, there was no evidence that termite groups with 20% soldiers were more likely to explore new areas or construct new foraging galleries faster than groups with only 5% soldiers. Our results indicate that the primary role of C.Jormosanus soldiers in repelling ant attacks against foraging workers appears to be to guard breaks in the tunnel until workers are able to repair the damage.