Journal of Insect Behavior (1999) 12, 133-146

Janine M. Polizzi and Brian T. Forschler (1999)
Factors that affect aggression among the worker caste of Reticulitermes spp. subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Journal of Insect Behavior 12 (2), 133-146
Abstract: Aggression was observed among both inter- and intraspecific combinations of four colonies of Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes hageni Banks in laboratory assays each month for 4 consecutive months. Termites were most frequently aggressive toward colonies of a different species. Number of individuals that displayed aggression decreased over the study period, from April to July. There was a slight trend toward reduced aggressive behavior as termites were maintained in the laboratory for 3 months. Passive and aggressive individuals were identified and reexamined for display of aggressive or passive behavior toward nonnestmates. Eighty-nine percent of previously aggressive termites displayed aggression a second time. Eighty-eight percent of previously passive termites were passive upon reexamination. Differences in head capsule size between passive and aggressive individuals provided no correlation between the presence of aggressiveness and the head capsule size in the worker caste.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Brian T. Forschler

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Reticulitermes flavipes
	Reticulitermes hageni