An unusual caste polymorphism of the sternal gland and its trail pheromone production in the termite Trinervitermes bettonianus

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Insectes Sociaux

Publication Date

12-1-1974

Abstract

The sternal glands of the various castes in T. bettonianus differ drastically in size and potential trail-laying activity. In soldiers they are almost vestigial and without evident function. In workers they are normal in size compared with those of other termite species, and their secretion is employed for communicative trails. In the imagines, however, they are extremely large and contain enormous quantities of trail pheromone. This or other pheromones secreted by the sternal gland are functionally involved in courtship behaviour. © 1974 Masson & Cie.

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