During foraging, organisms need to assess the costs and benefits related to resources wanted. An energy‐efficient way of locating and deciding among new food sources is to use cues left by other organisms in the environment (i.e., social information). In the present study, manipulative bioassays were conducted to evaluate the role of intra‐ and interspecific chemical cues in the selection of food resource by Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). For this, we tested the hypothesis that individuals of N. corniger are able to perceive and use chemical cues by either colonies of the same species or from different species. Linear trail bioassays were conducted to verify whether N. corniger workers perceive and accept intra‐ and interspecific chemical cues. Then, resource bioassays were performed with a binary and multiple choices to evaluate whether the termite group's decision of food resources was based on intra‐ and/or interspecific chemical cues. In general, groups of N. corniger preferred baits with chemical cues of other intraspecific colonies or with undetectable cues (hexane solvent or interspecific cues) than those with their own chemical signals. These results suggest that intraspecific chemical cues seem to modulate the food resource selection in N. corniger, which may help researchers to better understand the use of habitat by termites.

Social insects are known to have complex and elaborate communication systems. Communication through chemical signals is paramount in termites since these insects are blind and have cryptic habits. Despite this, knowledge about the role of chemical signals in termites is still scarce, especially in phylogenetically derived species. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of foraging chemical signals in Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), including the effect of different anatomical sources of foraging chemical signals, the response of groups with different caste compositions, and the colony-specificity of these signals. Specifically, we tested the following hypotheses: (i) rectal fluid and sternal gland extracts have different roles in perception, orientation, and acceptance by groups of N. corniger with different caste compositions; (ii) the behavior of N. corniger exposed to intercolonial foraging signals is not altered; and (iii) intercolonial foraging signals have attractive activity on N. corniger. To do so, trail, behavior and attraction/repellent bioassays were carried out in the laboratory. The sternal gland extract triggered greater trail behavior than the other foraging signals. Furthermore, the rectal fluid extract seems to exert an orientation function in N. corniger while the sternal gland extract acts as a recruitment signal. Finally, the behavior and attractiveness of the intercolonial foraging signals were not altered when compared with the control. The results found in the present study increase the understanding of foraging chemical communication in Isoptera and reinforce the role of intercolonial signals in the attractiveness of groups of N. corniger.