Subterranean Termite Social Alarm and Hygienic Responses to Fungal Pathogens
Mark S Bulmer1, Bruno A Franco2, Edith G Fields3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, 341 Smith Hall, 8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252, USA. mbulmer@towson.edu.
Insects
|August 8, 2019
Summary
Termites use vibratory alarm signals to alert nestmates to fungal pathogens, triggering social grooming that prevents fatal infections. This social defense mechanism is crucial for colony survival against disease.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
- Mycology
Background:
- Social insects rely on communication to defend against pathogens.
- Fungal infections pose significant threats to insect colonies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of vibratory alarm behavior in termite defense against fungal pathogens.
- To understand the link between alarm signals, social hygiene, and survival.
Main Methods:
- Exposing groups of *Reticulitermes flavipes* workers to different *Metarhizium* fungal strains.
- Observing and quantifying vibratory alarm behavior (longitudinal oscillatory movement - LOM) and social aggregation.
- Assessing fungal infection fatalities and correlating them with alarm behavior and grooming.
Main Results:
- Elevated alarm behavior (LOM) correlated positively with increased social aggregation and grooming.
- Higher frequencies of LOM were inversely correlated with fatal fungal infections.
- Termite responses varied significantly between different *Metarhizium* strains, impacting survival.
Conclusions:
- Vibratory alarm behavior is a critical social defense mechanism in termites against fungal pathogens.
- Social grooming, triggered by alarm signals, effectively reduces fungal spore load and prevents colony losses.
- The effectiveness of this defense is pathogen-dependent, highlighting the specificity of social immunity.
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