Colony-age-dependent variation in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in subterranean termite colonies.

ABSTRACT: Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) have, in insects, important physiological and ecological functions, such as protection against desiccation and as semiochemicals in social taxa, including termites. CHCs are, in termites, known to vary qualitatively and/or quantitatively among species, populations, castes, or seasons. Changes to hydrocarbon profile composition have been linked to varying degrees of aggression between termite colonies, although the variability of results among studies suggests that additional factors might have been involved. One source of such variability may be colony age, as termite colony demographics significantly change over time, with different caste and instar compositions throughout the life of the colony. We here hypothesize that the intracolonial chemical profile het

SUBMITTER: Gordon JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7520186 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature