Queen-specific volatile in a higher termite Nasutitermes takasagoensis (Isoptera: Termitidae)

In social insect colonies, queen-produced pheromones have important functions in social regulation. These substances influence the behavior and physiology of colony members. A queen-produced volatile that inhibits differentiation of new neotenic reproductives was recently identified in the lower termite Reticulitermes speratus. However, there are no known queen-specific volatiles of this type in any other termite species. Here, we report volatile compounds emitted by live queens of the higher termite Nasutitermes takasagoensis. We used headspace gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (HS GC-MS) to analyze volatiles emitted by live primary queens, workers, soldiers, alates, and eggs collected in a Japanese subtropical forest. Among 14 detected compounds, 7 were soldier-specific, 1 was alate-specific, 1 was egg-specific, and 1 was queen-specific. The queen-specific volatile was phenylethanol, which is different than the compound identified in R. speratus. The identification of this queen-specific volatile is the first step in determining its functions in higher termite social regulation. Comparisons of queen pheromone substances regulating caste differentiation among various termite taxa will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of social systems in termites.

Highlights► The volatile compounds emitted by live primary queens, workers, soldiers, alates and eggs of a higher termite Nasutitermes takasagoensis were analyzed using HS GC-MS. ► We found 7 soldier-specific, 1 alate-specific, 1 egg-specific and 1 queen-specific compounds. ► The queen-specific volatile was phenylethanol. ► The identification of this queen-specific volatile is the first step in determining its functions in higher termite social regulation.