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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Trail-following in termites: Evidence for a multicomponent system
Author(s):		Kaib M; Bruinsma O; Leuthold RH;
Address:		"International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		1982
Volume:		8
Issue:		9
Page Number:		1193 - 1205
DOI:		10.1007/BF00990752
ISSN/ISBN:		0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Several African termite species from different subfamilies and different habitats are sensitive to trail-active extracts or to naturally laid trails from other species. Using single-extract bioassays, it is shown that the response threshold for trail-following is nearly identical for all tested species (except forHodotermes mossambicus). However, when termite workers have a choice between trails from their own species and from other species, conspecific trail-following is exclusively observed. This phenomenon can be counteracted by dilution (1ratio10) of the conspecific trail-pheromone extract. Tests of the trail activity of various synthetic alcohols show that among these, the highest sensitivity of termite workers is to (Z)-3-dodecen-1-ol. Based on our experimental data, we postulate that, in addition to a generally active trail-pheromone constituent (an unsaturated primary C12 alcohol) or a pool of chemically closely related alcohols, other species-specific components are present in termite trails"
Keywords:
Notes:		"PubMed-not-MEDLINEKaib, M Bruinsma, O Leuthold, R H eng 1982/09/01 J Chem Ecol. 1982 Sep; 8(9):1193-205. doi: 10.1007/BF00990752"