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Differential time allocation of foraging workers in the subterranean termite
Sang-Bin Lee1, Thomas Chouvenc2, Nan-Yao Su2
1Department of Entomology and Nematology, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 3205 College Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33314, USA. lsb5162@ufl.edu.
Frontiers in Zoology
|December 14, 2021
Summary
Subterranean termites exhibit task specialization during foraging. Workers spend more time at food sources, with distinct roles identified for food processing and transport within foraging groups.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Animal Behavior
- Social Insects
Background:
- Foraging in social insects is a collective behavior.
- Subterranean termite foraging is poorly understood due to its concealed nature.
- Previous studies relied on indirect methods like tunnel analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe foraging behavioral sequences in Coptotermes formosanus.
- To determine time allocation between foraging and transport sites.
- To identify distinct roles within foraging worker groups.
Main Methods:
- Tracking foraging worker subsets from juvenile colonies.
- Observing time spent at foraging versus non-foraging sites.
- Utilizing clustering analysis to differentiate worker types.
Main Results:
- Workers spent significantly more time at the foraging site.
- Two distinct foraging worker types were identified.
- Cluster 1 workers processed wood and formed food boluses.
- Cluster 2 workers received food boluses from donating workers.
Conclusions:
- Evidence of task specialization within subterranean termite foraging cohorts.
- Demonstrates division of labor in food acquisition and transport.
