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

The studies of pathogen-prevention behaviors of termites have focused on hygiene behavior directed only against highly virulent pathogens. Therefore, we compared behavioral changes in the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus following contact with entomopathogenic fungi with different levels of virulence. The fungal virulence was inferred from the daily mortality and the LD50 value in previous data. When untreated termites were allowed to contact their fungus-inoculated nestmates, mutual grooming was frequent during 30 min after inoculation. The inoculated termites were often attacked and eaten by their uninoculated nestmates, and then buried after death. Notably, there was no influence of fungal virulence on these pathogen-prevention behaviors. However, the fungal isolates and genera affected not only the frequency of the behaviors but also the horizontal transmission pattern, the number of dead individuals and the survival period before the first death following infection.

Hygiene behaviors; grooming behavior, attack, cannibalism and burial was enhanced by one fungus-inoculated nestmate in a healthy population.Highlights► Termite behavior can be changed related with the condition they are put in. ► One inoculated nestmate in termite group enhanced the mutual grooming behavior. ► No change in grooming behavior in all fungus inoculated termite group. ► One inoculated nestmate in termite group enhanced several hygiene behaviors. ► These changes were related with fungal genera and isolates, but not virulence.