The Role of Antennae in Removing Entomopathogenic Fungi from Cuticle of the Termite,Coptotermes formosanus

Abstract

Our previous research has shown that the termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), protects itself from entomopathogenic fungi by mutual grooming behavior. The termite removes and discards foreign organisms, such as fungal conidia, from the body surface of its nestmates by mutual grooming behavior. The role of the antennae in detecting the condia was examind here. Three entomopathogenic fungi were used, Beauveria brongniartii 782 (Saccardo) (Hypocreales), Paecilomyces fumosoroseus K3 (Wize) (Hyphomycetes), and Metarhizium anisopliae 455 Sorokin (Hyphomycetes). Termites with antennae removed conidia more efficiently than termites without antennae. There were differences between termites with and without antennae in selection of sites to be groomed on nestmates, in the length of grooming and in occurrence of grooming. Electroantennogram (EAG) responses were recorded from termite antennae and the waveforms were rather specific to the kinds of fungi used as odor sources. Termites were able to distinguish between the tested fungi in feeding tests. These results show that the antennae play important roles in the mutual grooming behavior of the termite.

Plasticity of grooming behavior against entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in the ant Lasius japonicus

“…This result is consistent with an earlier report stating that the increase in the frequency of allogrooming positively impacts ant survivorship (Hughes et al 2002). Therefore, allogrooming of L. japonicus can remove fungal spores, which has been previously shown in termites (Shimizu and Yamaji 2003;Yanagawa et al 2009). We need to clarify whether self-grooming can also remove fungal spores in future studies.…”

Behavioral changes in the termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera), inoculated with six fungal isolates

“…On the other hand, when all termites in a group were inoculated with conidia, their behavioral activity did not change with control ( Fig. 1) (Yanagawa et al, 2009(Yanagawa et al, , 2010. This indicates that termites are good at detecting foreign organisms carried by their nestmates to the population.…”

“…Previously, we studied pathogen-prevention behaviors of the termite C. formosanus with this traditional method, and did not find any change in behavior associated with fungal inoculation (Yanagawa et al, 2009(Yanagawa et al, , 2010. However, in termites, as with other social insects, it would be rare for all of the colony members to be infected with a single pathogen at the same time, since social insects have many strategies to protect themselves from such situation (Oi and Pereira, 1993;Rosengaus et al, 1998;Cremer et al, 2007;Swanson et al, 2009).…”

Musty odor of entomopathogens enhances disease-prevention behaviors in the termite Coptotermes formosanus

“…Recent studies have revealed that termite antennae sensitively respond to the musty odors of entomopathogenic fungi (Yanagawa et al, 2009(Yanagawa et al, , 2010. To understand the role played by chemical perception in Coptotermes formosanus behavior, we investigated whether odor from entomopathogenic fungi may be the cue that induces termite hygiene behavior.…”