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J Insect Physiol

Title:		"Factors affecting post-flight behavior in primary reproductives of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)"
Author(s):		Park YI; Bland JM; Raina AK;
Address:		"Formosan Subterranean Termite Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, SRRC, 1100 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA. ypark@srrc.ars.usda.gov"
Journal Title:		J Insect Physiol
Year:		2004
Volume:		50
Issue:		6
Page Number:		539 - 546
DOI:		10.1016/j.jinsphys.2004.03.010
ISSN/ISBN:		0022-1910 (Print) 0022-1910 (Linking)
Abstract:		"After swarming, reproductive dealates of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, run together in tandem. The tandem running is an age-related behavioral activity in C. formosanus. This behavior was not evoked in pre-flight alates less than 6-d-old that were artificially dealated. Female age was more important than male age for evoking tandem behavior. Females and males, older than 35 days, did not exhibit this behavior. Mating status was not important for female and male dealates to form the tandem pairs. The titers of the major tergal gland component, trilinolein, did not decline significantly and remained high, not only in virgin females, but also in mated females for a period of time after swarming. On the other hand, increasing amounts of the female-specific compound trilinolein were detected in male dealates 7, 14, and 42 days after pairing. This suggests that trilinolein in the females might be transferred to the males as a nuptial gift in C. formosanus. In addition, females have structurally different lateral setae that may constitute a morphological factor involved in the tandem behavior in this species. Covering the setae with dimethyl sulfoxide prevented the tandem behavior"
Keywords:		"Age Factors *Animal Communication Animals Female Isoptera/*physiology Male Nesting Behavior/*physiology Pheromones/metabolism Running/physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology *Social Behavior Touch Triglycerides/metabolism;"
Notes:		"MedlinePark, Yong Ihl Bland, John M Raina, Ashok K eng England 2004/06/09 J Insect Physiol. 2004 Jun; 50(6):539-46. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2004.03.010"