Abstract
The sticky cephalic defensive secretions of mastotermitid, rhinotermitid, and termitid soldiers share similar physical properties but are nonetheless very distinct chemically. The secretion of Mastotermes darwiniensis contains benzoquinone which, when mixed with the saliva, forms tanned proteins, whereas that of Coptotermes lacteus comprises a suspension of lipid materials in an aqueous mucopolysaccharide. The termitid secretions, which sometimes serve as alarm pheromones, are based upon volatile and resinous terpenoids. Limonene has been identified as the alarm pheromone of Drepanotermes rubriceps, and terpinolene, the principal component of the cephalic secretion in Amitermes herbertensis, is presumed to play a similar rôle in that species.
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