odor aversion and pathogen-removal efficiency in grooming behavior of the termite coptotermes formosanus气味修饰行为的厌恶和pathogen-removal效率白蚁coptotermes formosanus.pdfVIP

Odor Aversion and Pathogen-Removal Efficiency in Grooming Behavior of the Termite Coptotermes formosanus 1 2 3 1 4 Aya Yanagawa *, Nao Fujiwara-Tsujii , Toshiharu Akino , Tsuyoshi Yoshimura , Takashi Yanagawa , Susumu Shimizu5 1 Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan, 2 National Institute of Agrobiological Science, Ohwashi City, Tsukuba, Japan, 3 Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan, 4 Biostatistics Centre, Kurume University, Kurume city, Fukuoka, Japan, 5 Institute of Biological Control, Kyushu University, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, Japan Abstract The results of biocontrol with entomopathogens in termites have been discouraging because of the strong social hygiene behavior for removing pathogens from termite colonies. However, the mechanism of pathogen detection is still unclear. For the successful application of biopesticides to termites in nature, it would be beneficial to identify substances that could disrupt the termite’s ability to perceive pathogens. We hypothesized that termites can perceive pathogens and this ability plays an important role in effective hygiene behavior. In this study, pathogen-detection in the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus was investigated. We performed quantitative assays on conidia removal by grooming behavior using epifluoresence microscopy and Y-maze tests to examine the perception of fungal odor by termites. Three species each of high- and low-virulence entomopathogenic fungi were used in each test. The results demonstrated that termites removed conidia more effectively from a nestmate’s cuticle if its odor elicited stronger aversion. Highly virulent pathogens