Digging behaviour and royal pair's influence inkalotermes flavicollis(Isoptera, kalotermitidae)

Abstract

Abstract Groups of Kalotermes flavicollis were removed from their wild nest and colony in order to study the digging of their new shelter in an agar/sawdust mixture. On the first day the insects dug numerous tunnels, some of which (usually the shortest) were soon abandoned. Digging continued with great regularity and finally the nests consisted mainly of tunnels with few branches and communication passages. Some tunnels were filled with sawdust taken from other parts of the nest. There was a correlation between the total length of dug tunnels and that of filled ones. The presence of the royal pair stimulated insect activity. In the presence of royals, insects dug larger nests made of tunnels that had more branches.