Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2005

Abstract

A caste structure is maintained in termite societies and juvenile hormone (JH) is generally regarded as the most important regulator in these termite colonies. Here, we demonstrate that the soldier caste regulates JH in workers of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Worker termites (80-100 individuals) were placed in petri dishes with 0, 5, 10, or 20% soldiers. JH III titers of groups of these workers were monitored at 14, 28, 42, and 56 d. Any changes in soldier caste proportions also were noted at each sample date. On the first sample date, the JH levels in workers were similar among treatments with different initial soldier proportions, and no new soldiers were formed. Over the next three sample dates, the worker JH levels were higher for low initial soldier proportion treatments and vice versa. Concurrently, soldier formation increased with lower initial soldier proportions. JH titers in workers showed a positive and statistically significant relationship to soldier numbers until a certain soldier proportion was reached. These results provide evidence that soldier caste proportions regulate JH levels and thereby caste differentiation in workers. The means by which this regulatory mechanism may proceed is discussed. © 2005 Entomological Society of America.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Annals of the Entomological Society of America

First Page

340

Last Page

345

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