Longevity, trophallaxis, and allogrooming inMacrotermes gilvussoldiers infected by the parasitoid flyMisotermes mindeni

Abstract

In this study, we documented the behavioral changes of major soldiers of the subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen) (Blattodea: Termitidae) infected with larvae of the phorid fly Misotermes mindeniDisney & Neoh (Diptera: Phoridae). During periods of starvation, the longevity of parasitized individuals was significantly greater than that of unparasitized individuals. Parasitized individuals received significantly more frequent trophallaxis from the workers than unparasitized individuals. The frequency of allogrooming of parasitized individuals by workers was also significantly greater than that of unparasitized individuals. The extent to which workers provided trophallaxis and allogrooming for parasitized individuals did not differ significantly between colonies with and without unparasitized individuals. Likewise, no significant difference in the frequency of trophallaxis between workers and unparasitized individuals was detected in the groups with and without parasitized individuals. However, distinct differences in allogrooming frequency between groups with and without parasitized individuals were detected. Workers/unparasitized individuals exhibited significantly more allogrooming behavior when parasitized individuals were present. Parasitized major soldiers and unparasitized, food-deprived major soldiers received significantly more often trophallaxis from the workers than unparasitized major soldiers. Presence of a parasitoid fly in major soldiers may promote the frequent feeding of parasitized individuals by workers. Based on these data, the behavioral adjustments appear to be beneficial to the parasitoids, as the changes clearly increase their chances of survival and their chances of completion of their larval development before the host dies.